CITIZENS COMPASS— A former Minister of Communications and ex-General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), on Thursday, described the ongoing kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria’s South-West region as a profit-driven enterprise rather than a campaign rooted in territorial ambition or religious ideology.
In a statement titled “The Insurgency War/Terrorism in Southwest – The Way I See It,” released by his Media Office on Thursday June 4, 2026, the retired general asserted that the violence currently affecting parts of the region should not be misconstrued as a struggle for territorial control or Islamic expansionism.
“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,” Olanrewaju stated.
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 alleged that the situation may be exploited by certain sponsors seeking to advance political objectives, including the pursuit of power. He warned that the South-West, particularly Lagos State, cannot consider itself insulated from the broader security challenges facing the country.
“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 region 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.
“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 suggested.
The former army commander concluded by advocating for a full-scale, non-conventional military operation as the most effective approach to defeating the insurgents and restoring lasting peace to the region.
