The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the country.
In a statement on Friday, Senate President Usman Nagwaza urged the President to provide maximum support to the Ministry of Defence and empower the armed forces to intensify operations against criminal elements threatening Nigerians’ lives.
“NANS do not represent barbarism or criminality. Our concern is Nigeria, especially students, who are directly affected by insecurity. We also call on the President to declare a state of emergency on insecurity and further empower the armed forces to intensify operations against criminal elements across the country,” the statement read.
The student body also appealed to Nigerians to support the Ministry of Defence and reject what it described as the politics of character assassination, which it said undermines national efforts to restore peace and stability.
Responding to allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to banditry, NANS described the claims as baseless and politically motivated, asserting that Matawalle was being unfairly targeted at a time when unity is crucial to tackling insecurity.
The government has been intensifying efforts to curb insecurity, mobilising military and security assets nationwide. President Tinubu recently appointed General Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence, tasking him with driving a more integrated national security response. Over 100 refurbished armoured fighting vehicles have been deployed, and plans are underway to acquire additional modern equipment, including drones and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, to enhance military operational capacity.
