A former Minister of Communications and ex-General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), has described the growing wave of kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria’s South-West as a profit-driven criminal enterprise rather than a campaign motivated by territorial conquest or religious expansion.
Olanrewaju made the assertion in a statement titled “The Insurgency War/Terrorism in Southwest – The Way I See It,” released through his Media Office on Thursday.
The retired military officer argued that the security challenges confronting parts of the South-West should not be interpreted as an attempt to seize territory or spread any religious ideology.
According to him, the activities of the perpetrators are primarily aimed at generating financial gains through kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes.
“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,” he said.
Olanrewaju noted that the criminal groups have adopted guerrilla warfare tactics in their operations against both security forces and civilians, a strategy he said is intended to stretch the capacity of the armed forces, create fear among residents, and destabilise communities.
He further alleged that some sponsors of the violence could be exploiting the insecurity to advance political interests, including the pursuit of power.
The retired general warned that the South-West, including Lagos State, should not assume immunity from the security threats affecting other parts of 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 stated.
Olanrewaju maintained that the security threats in the region have evolved beyond banditry and should be formally recognised as acts of terrorism.
He warned that Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national stability could face serious threats if decisive measures are not taken to address the situation.
“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 said.
The former army commander called for the declaration of a State of Emergency in affected states to facilitate the activation of comprehensive security measures.
He also urged state governors to seek the expertise of retired senior military officers in developing strategies to tackle the security 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.
Olanrewaju concluded by advocating a full-scale, non-conventional military operation against the insurgents, describing it as the most effective way to restore peace and security in the South-West and other affected parts of the country.
