The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, citing escalating threats to life and property that are affecting citizens, particularly students.
In a statement issued on Friday, NANS Senate President Usman Nagwaza appealed to the President to take decisive action to rein in criminal elements across the country. The student body also urged Tinubu to deepen support for the Ministry of Defence and to empower the nation’s armed forces to intensify operations against insurgents and bandits terrorising communities.
“NANS does not represent barbarism or criminality,” the statement read. “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.”
Nagwaza urged Nigerians to support the Ministry of Defence, warning against what the students described as politics of character assassination that could undermine national efforts to restore peace and stability. “Such actions undermine national efforts to restore peace and stability,” the statement added.
The student body also addressed recent allegations linking the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to banditry, describing the accusations as baseless and politically motivated. According to NANS, the minister is being unfairly targeted at a time when unity is crucial to tackling the country’s worsening security situation.
The call comes amid ongoing nationwide concerns over insecurity, which have seen various groups and individuals — including civil society organisations, regional elder forums, and legal professionals — urge government intervention and emergency measures. Such calls underscore growing public frustration over attacks by armed groups in multiple regions of the country.
In recent months, the federal government has taken steps to strengthen national security. President Tinubu appointed General Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence, tasking him with a more integrated national security strategy. The administration has also refurbished more than 100 armoured fighting vehicles and announced plans to procure modern equipment such as drones and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles to enhance the military’s operational capacity.
For many Nigerians, the persistent insecurity, ranging from insurgency in the northeast to kidnappings and bandit attacks in other parts of the country — remains a critical challenge, prompting civil society and student groups alike to press for stronger and more coordinated government action.
