Tinubu Shut Down Plan To Use Mercenaries For Fight Against Terrorists

President Bola Tinubu don reject di use of private military and security contractors inside African conflict zones, as e warn say dia involvement dey weaken sovereignty and dey scatter counter-terrorism work across di continent. For di first plenary session on ‘Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism’ for di 7th AU–EU Summit wey hold for Luanda, Angola, Tinubu, wey Vice President Kashim Shettima represent talk say African governments must lead dia own peace efforts instead of outsourcing am to private actors wey no get clear mandate. Tinubu yarn say Africa security wahala like terrorism and transnational organised crime need coordinated, state-driven response, no be parallel forces wey fit break command structures. E remind EU leaders say Nigeria dey committed to peace and democratic stability, and don intensify dia push for permanent UN Security Council seats with veto power. Tinubu also reveal say over 250,000 Boko Haram-affiliated people don surrender by early 2025 through Nigeria’s kinetic and non-kinetic strategy, including di Multinational Joint Task Force for Lake Chad Basin. E add say EU remain one of AU’s most reliable partners, but peace and security plans must be co-created under African-led frameworks, and illegal migration must be tackled with structured labour pathways instead of criminalising mobility.

Meanwhile, di Chairman of di Governing Council of di Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, don call on President Tinubu to declare nationwide state of emergency on security as fears don rise after di killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and di kidnap of over 300 pupils for Niger and Kebbi plus 38 worshippers for Kwara. Akinyemi say di government need “decisive and courageous” action, including suspending military retirement laws, recalling retired officers, and launching large-scale recruitment into di Armed Forces to strengthen garrison presence across all states. E suggest say governors’ constitutional immunity should dey suspended under di emergency period so dem fit hold any governor accountable if terrorists dey operate freely for dia state, and some states fit even enter temporary military administration if needed. Akinyemi also ask Tinubu to set up military tribunal to try terrorists and collaborators, impose maximum penalty where guilt dey clear, and insist say Nigeria no fit allow terrorists to dey appear for public armed and unchallenged, adding say di nation need strong, coordinated and fearless action.