Former Minister of Communications and retired Major General, Tajudeen Olanrewaju, has described the wave of kidnappings and terrorism in the South-West region as a criminal enterprise driven by financial gains rather than a campaign for territorial conquest or religious expansion.

In a statement titled ‘The Insurgency War/Terrorism in South West – The Way I See It’, released through his media office on Thursday, the former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army said the violence ravaging parts of the South West should not be interpreted as an attempt to establish territorial control or advance Islamic ideology.

“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 the retired military officer, the perpetrators have adopted guerrilla warfare tactics in their operations against both security forces and civilian populations.

He said the strategy is designed to overstretch the capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces, spread fear among residents and destabilise affected communities.

Olanrewaju alleged that some sponsors may be exploiting the insecurity to advance political ambitions, including the pursuit of power.

He warned that the South West, particularly Lagos State, should not consider itself immune from the security threats confronting 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 said.

The former army commander argued that the security situation has evolved beyond ordinary banditry and should be recognised as terrorism.

He warned that failure to confront the threat decisively could have serious implications for Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national stability.

“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.

Calling for urgent intervention, Olanrewaju advocated the declaration of a state of emergency in affected states to enable the activation of comprehensive contingency measures.

He also urged state governors to seek strategic guidance from retired senior military officers in tackling the growing security challenge.

“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 recommended a full-scale non-conventional military campaign against the insurgents, insisting that such an approach remains the most effective path to restoring peace and security in the region.