Insecurity: Nigerian Bar Association Urges President Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency amid a surge in insecurity across the country.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau said insecurity has become a reason why many Nigerians across the country have become jobless and homeless, noting that people don't have confidence in the government anymore.

"Some Nigerians have lost, and many more are fast losing confidence in the ability of the Federal Government to deal with the security situation in Nigeria," he said, Punch reported.

Maikyau strongly recommended the government at least inform people about actions being taken to keep the citizens secure, calling out Tinubu for not showing a demonstrable commitment to prioritize the security of the lives and properties in the country.

"The government, through our Armed Forces and other security agencies, must ensure that no square inch of the Nigerian territory is left ungoverned; no part of Nigeria should be left under the control of criminal elements by whatever name so-called," he added.

The NBA president said that the federal government must take a holistic approach to fix the security issue and not overlook the "peculiarities of each region and design bespoke measures to deal with them accordingly."

Furthermore, he urged the Tinubu-led government to not shy away or feel scared to make investments in security, pointing out that this is the time to declare a state of emergency without wasting any time and "spare no effort in this regard."

"The Nigerian economy is dwindling, the value of the Naira has been bastardized, prices of foodstuff have skyrocketed, and everything negative seems to be on the rise. The insecurity has equally impacted negatively on food sufficiency and food security as a nation," he said.

Maikyau also noted that due to insecurity issues, farmers are not able to visit their farms, adding that "while this administration may argue that it is only seven months into office and is not the cause of present-day experience, the fact remains that it is this government that has the responsibility of stemming the negative tide."

Tinubu took over the office on May 29 last year.

In addition, the NBA president also warned of a legal action against the federal government if the Enhanced Trade Investment agreement between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is not reviewed.

"We will fight it. We have the responsibility of protecting the legal space. I come from the village and I know what it means. Do you want those in the village who are struggling to make a living to still have competitors from the UK to take the little he has?," he stated.

Last month, a coalition of 48 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency due to the current security situation.