Senator Ali Ndume, former Senate Leader, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinforce his national security emergency declaration with sustained and coordinated military operations against insurgents nationwide.

Tinubu declared the emergency on November 26, 2025, following a surge of terrorist attacks in Kwara State, Kebbi State, and Niger State, which resulted in the abduction of over 350 people within days. The president subsequently ordered additional military recruitment, redeployment of police officers attached to VIPs, and deployment of forest guards to flush out bandits and terrorists.

Ndume expressed concern that continued attacks, particularly in the North-East, indicate the need for decisive follow-up action. He cited the recent assault by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Ngoshe, where more than 300 residents were abducted.

In a statement on Sunday, the senator representing Borno South urged security forces to carry out consistent clearance operations in Lake Chad, Sambisa Forest, and the Mandara Mountains, calling them “major safe havens for insurgents.”

He also proposed that the president establish a State House situation room to provide regular updates on security operations and recommended creating air component centres in the three northern geopolitical zones, equipped with attack helicopters to support military action in blackspot areas.

While commending the Nigerian Army for intervening during the Ngoshe attack, Ndume noted that the response was delayed. He also stressed the importance of frontloading security budgets to enable quicker procurement of weapons and equipment, and suggested hiring attack helicopters if outright purchase is not feasible.

“Government should walk its talks on emergency by engaging in coordinated and sustainable attacks on the targets, especially in the North East,” Ndume said, urging urgent action to curb insurgency.