Middle Belt Insecurity threatens Nigeria’s stability, says Lt Gen Adeosun. He urges urgent local solutions, land reforms, and stronger governance

Middle Belt Insecurity is becoming a national emergency, according to retired Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun.

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Speaking at Lagos State University’s Distinguished Lecture Series, the former Chief of Policy and Plans in the Nigerian Army warned that rising violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt reflects deeper structural weaknesses that need urgent attention.

Highlighting states like Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna, Adeosun described the region as a “theatre of overlapping violence” driven by identity politics, land disputes, and organised crime.

He emphasized that Middle Belt Insecurity is not random—it is strategic, lucrative, and increasingly protected.

He cited the rise and fall of the late warlord “Gana” as a cautionary tale of how political manipulation of non-state actors can backfire into full-blown security crises. “It’s a national security nightmare,” Adeosun warned.

His proposed solutions were grounded in community participation, traditional leadership engagement, ranching policies, and clear land ownership reforms. He called for a justice-driven and locally-owned approach to conflict resolution.

“Land isn’t just property it’s identity. Reforms must respect this,” he stressed.

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Calling for proactive action from the Federal Government, civil society, and international partners, Adeosun said solving Middle Belt Insecurity could pave the way to national peace and stability.