The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has strongly denounced the recent wave of killings in parts of Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states, characterising the violence as barbaric, senseless, and an affront to the nation’s collective conscience.
The forum, chaired by Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, and made up of 19 governors from across the northern region, called for firm and coordinated security responses to halt the persistent attacks on defenceless civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
While acknowledging the scale of the security challenges confronting the affected states, Governor Yahaya commended the governors of Kwara, Benue, and Katsina for their resolve in the face of adversity.
He assured Nigerians that the forum remains committed to collaborating with security agencies and grassroots stakeholders to advance intelligence-driven community policing and long-term socio-economic interventions capable of addressing the roots of insecurity.
The NSGF also expressed deep sympathy to families who lost loved ones in the attacks, offering prayers for the repose of the souls of those killed in cold blood.
In recent days, coordinated assaults across communities in the three states have left several people dead, others abducted, and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
In Kwara State, armed men stormed the Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, reportedly killing more than 50 residents. Numerous families were thrown into mourning, while several houses were set ablaze during the attack.
According to local sources, the assailants initially gathered residents under the guise of preaching, urging them to disregard the Nigerian Constitution. Tensions reportedly escalated when some villagers challenged the message, prompting the attackers to open fire indiscriminately.
Katsina State also witnessed renewed violence as bandits attacked a community in Faskari Local Government Area, leaving several people dead and destroying homes, shops, and vehicles, with many residents displaced. The attack occurred in Doma Community, Tafoki area of the LGA, at about 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
The heavily armed assailants, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles, invaded the community just five months after a peace agreement had been reached. The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Area, Sirajo Daudawa, suggested the assault was likely a reprisal attack.
In Benue State, an attack by non-state actors in Abande Community, Kwande Local Government Area, claimed the lives of a police officer and four community members. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident occurred on Tuesday.
Although initial reports suggested that about 16 people were killed, the police provided clarification. The command’s spokesman, Udeme Edet, said, “An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured during the attack.
“The Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, received a distress call that suspected armed herder bandits, in large numbers, had attacked police personnel stationed at Abande Community as well as members of the community.
“Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives as a result of the attack by the bandits,” he said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The Northern Governors reiterated that the continued bloodshed underscores the urgency of decisive action to protect lives and restore stability across affected communities.
What you should know
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has condemned recent deadly attacks in Kwara, Katsina, and Benue states, describing them as inhumane and unacceptable.
The forum pledged closer collaboration with security agencies to strengthen intelligence-led policing and address underlying socio-economic drivers of violence. The attacks involved mass killings, arson, and displacement, with bandits and non-state actors targeting rural communities.
Governors stressed the need for urgent and coordinated security measures to prevent further loss of lives and restore peace in the affected regions.
