Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Forum raises alarm over deepening insecurity

Decries mass kidnapping of children, demands probe of alleged N800bn 2027 campaign fund

Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised alarm over what it described as the growing impunity and disturbing ease, with which terrorists and bandits are carrying out mass kidnappings across Nigeria, particularly the abduction of school children in recent weeks.

SMBLF also stated that it is deeply disturbed by the widespread media reports alleging that about N800 billion was generated by governors of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a press statement issued Wednesday June 10, 2026, to newsmen in Kaduna, the forum accused the Nigerian political leadership of being “increasingly consumed by politics and the struggle for power ahead of the 2027 general elections” while the nation sinks deeper into chaos, poverty, fear and insecurity.

“Every Nigerian citizen, especially innocent children has a constitutional right to protection by the state. Sadly, that responsibility is now being increasingly neglected,” according to statement respectively signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan of Afenifere, Dr. Bitrus Pogu of the Middle Belt Forum, Senator John Azuta-Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and H.E. Ambassador Godknows Igali of PANDEF.

SMBLF cited three major abductions in recent weeks, recounting that “On May 15, 2026, armed bandits attacked two schools in Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, kidnapping more than 40 pupils and seven teachers before beheading Mr. Michael Oyedoku, a mathematics teacher”.

“On the same day, Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists invaded the Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Southern Borno and abducted about 42 school children. Earlier, on April 27, 2026, gunmen attacked an Islamic orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State, abducting 23 pupils and staff members”, it stated.

The forum, while welcoming the Sunday return of 360 hostages abducted from Ngoshe, Gwozah Local Government Area in Southern Borno, described it as “testament that it is possible to rescue all other citizens still held by these evil elements everywhere if the right environment is provided.”

Despite that, SMBLF noted that the situation however remains grim in Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Niger, and Kwara states, where “many more hundreds of innocent citizens are still being held hostage in various bandit and terrorists’ camps.”

It lamented that social media is now flooded daily with horrifying images and videos of terrorists and bandits beheading innocent citizens and inflicting cruelty on captives whose families cannot pay ransom.

According to the forum, large portions of Nigerian territory in the North West, Middle Belt and North East are now effectively under the control or influence of terrorists and bandits. “Even in parts of the South West, several once-thriving communities have been deserted as residents flee repeated attacks and kidnappings”.

“Millions of Nigerians are now internally displaced persons, IDPs, living in hunger, uncertainty and trauma in camps or with relations in communities across the country,” SMBLF stated, adding yhat many farming communities have been abandoned, worsening food shortages, inflation and poverty.

SMBLF noted that “it is deeply disturbed by widespread media reports alleging that about N800 billion was generated by governors of states controlled by the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2027 re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The forum alleged that governors under the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) agreed that N1 billion would be deducted monthly from their states’ allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) under an arrangement known as the “Renewed Hope Agenda, RHA.”

It also raised concerns over “the growing pattern of huge sums in public donations, distributions of expensive vehicles, cash gifts, empowerment programmes and other largesse by First Lady Remi Tinubu,” noting that she holds no constitutional or executive office, “yet her activities are all in pursuit of political mileage for the president ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”

The forum demanded that immediate action from government and anti-corruption agencies.

It particularly called on the EFCC, ICPC, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and all relevant anti-corruption agencies to launch an independent investigation into the alleged N800 billion fund as a must.

“The Federal Government must declare a comprehensive national security emergency and substantially increase funding, equipment and welfare support for the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies and other security services battling terrorism and banditry.

“Federal and State Governments must provide permanent security presence in vulnerable communities, schools, highways and farming areas to guarantee the safe return of displaced persons and restore public confidence.

“Government must urgently establish a special intervention fund for IDPs to provide food, shelter, healthcare, education and rehabilitation for millions of victims of terrorism and banditry.

“Special courts should be established for the speedy trial of terrorism, kidnapping and banditry cases to ensure arrested criminals face swift justice”, it demanded.

The SMBLF stated that the demands are aimed at restoring security, accountability, and confidence in governance as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.