Kidnapping in S-West, profit-driven enterprise, not religious -Olarenwaju, ex- Minister 

Says evolving security threats now terrorism

*Calls for declaration of State of Emergency on insecurity 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

Former Minister of Communications, Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju (retd), on Thursday, described the ongoing kidnapping and terrorism in the South-West  as a profit-driven enterprise rather than a campaign rooted in territorial ambition or religious ideology.

The former Minister, in a statement titled ‘The Insurgency War/Terrorism in Southwest – The way I see it,’ noted that the violence currently affecting parts of the zone should not be misconstrued as a struggle for territorial control or Islamic expansionism.

According to him, the perpetrators have adopted guerrilla warfare tactics as their primary method of engagement against both the Nigerian Armed Forces and civilian populations. He noted that this approach is strategically designed to overstretch security forces, instill fear among residents, and create instability within affected communities.

Olanrewaju further warned that the situation may be exploited by certain sponsors seeking to advance political objectives, including the pursuit of power. 

He further warned that the South-West, particularly Lagos State, cannot consider itself insulated from the broader security challenges facing the country.

He said: “This insurgency war/terrorism has no territorial values or Islamic faith evangelism or expansion. It is purely an ongoing business affair, as I could observe. 

“Lagos State and the South-West in general cannot be isolated from occasional instability arising from the actions of infiltrated terrorists who kidnap for ransom, kill to instill fear, and pursue political ends—all aimed at creating panic and disrupting peace through the destruction of lives and property,” he said.

The retired general emphasized that the security threats in the zone have evolved beyond mere banditry and should be formally recognized as terrorism. 

He cautioned that without decisive and coordinated action, Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national stability could be severely undermined.

“These are not bandits anymore but terrorists in our homeland. The counter-terrorism war will not finish soon. Unless there is a full-scale war against the so-called terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, our territorial integrity will be seriously violated, and the entire nation will have no peace,” he warned.

Olanrewaju called for the immediate declaration of a State of Emergency across affected states, describing it as a necessary step to activate comprehensive contingency measures. He also proposed that state governors consult senior retired military officers for strategic advice and guidance in addressing the crisis.

“The declaration of a State of Emergency is knocking for serious contingency plans to be activated. Senior retired armed services officers could be recalled in each state by the Chief Executive for consultation and advice on the way forward,” he said.

The former army commander called for a full-scale, non-conventional military operation as “the most effective approach to defeating the insurgents and restoring lasting peace to the region.”

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