The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a stark warning over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, describing it as having escalated to a “state of war” and urging the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action.
The position was outlined in a communiqué released at the end of the forum’s 38th Board of Trustees meeting held in Abuja. The session was chaired by Bashir Dalhatu and attended by several high-profile northern leaders, including former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, ex-Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, and former President of the United Nations General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.
In its assessment, the ACF said Nigeria’s security challenges—ranging from insurgency in the North-East to banditry, mass kidnappings, and communal violence across the North-West and North-Central—have deepened into a nationwide crisis that threatens the country’s stability and unity.
The forum stressed that the magnitude and persistence of the violence, as well as its human toll, demand a complete shift in national priorities. It urged authorities to treat insecurity as the country’s most urgent concern, rather than one of many competing issues.
Highlighting the humanitarian impact, the ACF noted that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have either been killed or displaced in states such as Borno, Plateau, Niger, and Kwara. It added that members of the armed forces, including senior officers, have also suffered significant casualties, leaving families devastated and communities traumatised.
Beyond the human cost, the forum warned that insecurity is severely damaging Nigeria’s economy. It pointed out that agricultural activities in northern regions have been disrupted, affecting food production and supply chains, worsening inflation, and triggering economic decline in rural areas.
According to the communiqué, prolonged insecurity will only increase the cost of recovery, insisting that investment in security is essential for sustainable economic growth.
The ACF called for a “war-time approach” to tackling the crisis, recommending that the government temporarily scale down spending on non-essential projects and redirect resources toward security operations.
It emphasised that prioritising security does not equate to abandoning development but rather ensures the right sequence—securing the nation first before pursuing broader development goals.
The forum concluded by warning that Nigeria is at a critical juncture, urging swift and comprehensive measures to halt the escalation of violence and safeguard the country’s future.
Comments are closed.