The Institute of Security, Nigeria has declared a national emergency over the escalating wave of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks across the country, warning that the imposition of a ₦50 million levy and 100 livestock on residents and traders in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, represents a serious challenge to the authority of the Nigerian state.
The institute described the reported invasion of the Talata Mafara market by non-state actors and the seven-day ultimatum issued to residents as more than ordinary criminality, saying such actions amount to an assault on Nigeria’s sovereignty, economic stability and national cohesion.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Deputy President and Chief Executive Officer, Barrister Adebayo Akinade, DFISN, FSCS, PSC, the Institute of Security, Nigeria (ISN) said the situation required an urgent shift from isolated security operations to a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society response.
The institute noted that the continued destruction of lives, farms, markets and livelihoods was creating a parallel criminal economy in parts of the country.
According to the ISN, the development also raises serious constitutional concerns, particularly with regard to Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which places the security and welfare of citizens among the primary purposes of government.
ISN Demands Coordinated Security Framework
The institute called on the Federal and state governments to treat banditry-related levies, attacks on markets and the disruption of legitimate economic activities as matters requiring coordinated security intervention.
It urged government to establish a state-led security coordination framework that would bring together federal security agencies, state security outfits and properly vetted community security personnel.
The ISN also called for increased funding for tactical mobility, drones, night-vision equipment and aerial surveillance capabilities in frontline states, particularly Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna and Plateau.
It further recommended the creation of a Special Victims Support and Livelihood Restoration Fund to assist communities affected by terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
Intelligence Must Drive Counter-Banditry Operations
The security institute said security agencies must move further towards predictive and intelligence-led operations.
It called for greater focus on infiltrating criminal networks, particularly the markets and livestock value chains allegedly being exploited to finance and sustain banditry.
The institute urged security agencies to dismantle criminal logistics and levy-collection networks while strengthening the regulation of livestock markets.
It also advocated a rapid-response framework supported by improved intelligence sharing and aerial surveillance.
Citizens, Communities Have Role to Play
The ISN also urged communities, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, farmers, market associations and religious bodies to establish stronger local early-warning and early-response mechanisms.
It recommended the creation of Local Government Area-level Peace and Security Forums to improve information sharing and community engagement.
The institute, however, urged citizens to exercise caution and cooperate with security agencies rather than independently confronting armed groups.
It called for the documentation and preservation of evidence relating to attacks while encouraging appropriate support for victims of violence.
National Security Fusion Centre Needed
As part of its reform proposals, the ISN called for the establishment of a National Security Fusion Centre, supported by state-level fusion desks to facilitate the rapid sharing and analysis of security intelligence.
It also advocated the creation of specialised courts or expedited judicial mechanisms for terrorism, banditry and kidnapping cases, subject to constitutional safeguards and due process.
Other recommendations included the use of technology for forest monitoring, livestock tracking and citizen reporting, as well as stronger professional regulation and certification within Nigeria’s private security sector.
The institute said it remained ready to support government, security agencies and communities through research, professional training, policy advisory services and certification in areas including terrorism studies, intelligence management and counter-banditry operations.
The ISN stressed that defeating terrorism and banditry would require more than military action, insisting that security, intelligence, community participation, economic recovery and effective justice must work together.
Signed:
Barr. Adebayo Akinade, DFISN, FSCS, PSC
Deputy President & Chief Executive Officer
For: Institute of Security, Nigeria (ISN)
