The National Caucus of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has reaffirmed its opposition to any form of foreign military intervention in Nigeria, despite escalating attacks by terrorists across the country.
In a communiqué issued after its weekend meeting and jointly signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere), Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta‑Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide) and Ambassador Godknows Igali (PANDEF), the SMBLF described the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) as a serious warning signal.
The forum stated: “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 group urged the government to confront the issues head on by disarming and prosecuting militias, killer herdsmen and extremist groups responsible for violence, and to restore occupied ancestral lands to rightful owners across communities in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Borno, Southern Kebbi and other affected states.
The SMBLF welcomed the recent reshuffling of Service Chiefs but called on President Bola Tinubu to extend reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence, noting that all three currently hail from the same region.
Reaffirming its commitment to the unity and continued coexistence of the Nigerian federation, the SMBLF emphasised that all citizens and ethnic nationalities must enjoy equal respect and a genuine sense of belonging. The leaders also appealed to President Tinubu to facilitate the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu to aid national healing and reconciliation.
