SMBLF rejects foreign military intervention, urges Nigerian government to address insecurity
Southern and Middle Belt leaders restate opposition to external interference
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has reaffirmed its opposition to any form of foreign military intervention in Nigeria, even as terrorist attacks and violent conflicts continue to rise across the country.
The forum’s position comes in response to recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to deploy American troops to Nigeria over alleged persecution and mass killings of Christians. The Nigerian government has since dismissed these allegations, insisting that religious freedom remains protected under the constitution.
In a communiqué issued after its weekend meeting, the National Caucus of the SMBLF emphasized that while it condemns ongoing violence, foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs would only worsen the nation’s challenges.
Forum leaders issue joint communiqué
The communiqué was jointly signed by several prominent regional leaders: HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan representing Afenifere, Dr. Bitrus Pogu of the Middle Belt Forum, Senator John Azuta-Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and Ambassador Godknows Igali representing PANDEF.
According to the statement, the forum described the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) as a troubling development and a serious warning signal. However, the SMBLF cautioned that foreign military intervention would undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and could destabilize the region further.
“While the SMBLF affirms its opposition to any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria, we consider the CPC designation a wake-up call to the Federal Government to urgently halt the ongoing mayhem and killings,” the communiqué stated.
SMBLF urges decisive action against insecurity
The leaders called on the federal government to confront the country’s security challenges more decisively by disarming and prosecuting armed militias, killer herdsmen, and extremist groups responsible for attacks in rural and urban communities.
They also demanded that ancestral lands forcefully occupied by such groups be restored to rightful owners across affected areas in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Borno, and Southern Kebbi States.
The forum further noted that the persistence of violent attacks in these regions continues to fuel displacement, hunger, and social dislocation, urging the Tinubu administration to prioritize the protection of citizens above political or ethnic considerations.
Leaders call for inclusive defence reforms
The SMBLF welcomed the recent reshuffling of Service Chiefs by President Bola Tinubu but called for more inclusive representation in the nation’s security leadership. The communiqué specifically urged the president to extend the reforms to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence, noting that all three positions are currently occupied by individuals from the same geopolitical region.
According to the forum, such adjustments would “ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the national defence architecture while reflecting Nigeria’s diversity.”
The leaders stressed that equitable representation in security agencies is critical to building public confidence and ensuring effective coordination in tackling insecurity nationwide.
SMBLF reaffirms commitment to national unity and justice
Reiterating its commitment to the unity and continued coexistence of the Nigerian Federation, the forum emphasized that all citizens and ethnic nationalities must enjoy equal respect and a genuine sense of belonging.
The SMBLF also appealed to President Tinubu to facilitate the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as a necessary step toward national healing, peacebuilding, and reconciliation in the Southeast region.
Furthermore, the forum resolved to support the retention of the presidency in Southern Nigeria in 2027, in line with the North–South rotational power arrangement that has guided Nigeria’s democratic process since 1999.
Forum urges collaboration for peace and development
The group urged political leaders, security agencies, and traditional institutions to work together in finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s complex security problems. They emphasized that internal reforms, justice, and inclusiveness remain the most sustainable path toward peace—rather than external intervention.
Analysts believe that the SMBLF’s position reflects growing concern among regional stakeholders about Nigeria’s sovereignty and the need for the government to take full responsibility for its security. The forum’s latest statement adds to a chorus of voices calling for unity, accountability, and a more balanced approach to governance in Africa’s most populous nation.
