- Southern and Middle Belt Leaders accuse Federal Government of complicity in genocide, demand state police, reject emergency rule in Rivers
By Our Correspondent
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to address Nigeria’s spiraling security crisis or risk “the total breakdown of law and order.”
In a communiqué issued following an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, the SMBLF decried what it described as the “unchecked reign of terror by Fulani militias and foreign bandits”, particularly in the Middle Belt and Benue State, warning that communities are “being wiped out with genocidal impunity.”
The communiqué was signed by prominent national leaders, including: HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan – Afenifere, Dr. Bitrus Pogu – Middle Belt Forum, Senator John Azuta-Mbata – Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Godknows Igali – PANDEF
“The Federal Government has abdicated its most sacred duty—the protection of life and property,” the forum declared.
“We are tired of burying our people while the perpetrators roam free and receive covert state support.”
Security Crisis & Self-Defence Warning
The forum issued a chilling ultimatum to the Nigerian state:
“If the government cannot protect the people, then the people have a moral right to protect themselves. We cannot sit and watch our communities being turned into mass graves.”
Describing the centralised police structure as “completely ineffective,” the SMBLF proposed an urgent shift to state policing, with full operational control down to the local level:
“The so-called Chief Security Officers of states are powerless in a unitary system. We demand that states establish their own police commands—fully armed and funded to defend their citizens.”
On the controversial proposal to introduce a National Forest Guard, the Forum was unequivocal:
“We reject this underhanded scheme to reintroduce RUGA in disguise. Forests and lands belong to the states—not the federal government. We will not surrender our ancestral lands to invaders.”
Emergency Rule in Rivers State Condemned
The communiqué also condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as “unconstitutional, illegal and politically motivated.”
“Emergency rule is a blunt instrument being used to undermine democracy and install loyalists through the backdoor,” the group stated.
“All appointments and elections conducted under this illegal regime must be declared null and void.”
It added:
“Rivers State must be returned immediately to democratic governance. Any attempt to smuggle in a new political order through military fiat is a betrayal of our constitution.”
Rejecting RUGA, Calling for Justice
The Forum strongly opposed any move to establish RUGA settlements—especially the alleged plan in Plateau State—warning that:
“It is an invitation to occupation. We will not allow lands of indigenous peoples to be handed over to Fulani herders from within and outside Nigeria.”
They further demanded the immediate liberation of all communities occupied by armed herders and terrorists:
“It is a national disgrace that the government creates IDP camps for displaced Nigerians while invaders occupy their homes.”
A Clear Red Line
In a final statement that struck a deeply emotional and historic chord, the forum declared:
“Nigeria is sliding toward a failed state. If urgent steps are not taken to restructure and decentralise security, we may not be able to hold this country together much longer.”
“This communiqué is our final warning. Enough is enough!”
Also present at the emergency meeting were:
Chief Nnia Nwodo, Hon. Bassey Ekefre, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Mr. Luka Binniyat, Mark Jacob Nzamah Esq, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, and other senior officials from the four regional blocs.
