The Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mamman Osuman, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation across Northern Nigeria, describing it as “grave, devastating, and deeply troubling.”
Osuman made the remarks during the 79th National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of the Forum held at the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna. He warned that terrorism, banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping are intensifying across several states in the region.
According to him, the region continues to endure tragic loss of lives, mass displacement, and the destruction of rural livelihoods. He referenced recent attacks in Kwara, Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, and other affected areas, noting that repeated violence has uprooted families and entire communities.
Osuman highlighted the severe humanitarian consequences of the crisis, including overcrowded internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, limited access to food and healthcare, and disruptions to education. He added that persistent attacks have forced the closure of schools in several communities, while farming activities, the backbone of rural economies, have been significantly affected.
The ACF Chairman also warned that insecurity has made travel unsafe in many parts of the North, restricting access to essential services such as healthcare, markets, and schools. In some instances, he noted, the situation has deteriorated to the point where external military assistance has been required.
Osuman stressed that the worsening crisis demands urgent, proactive engagement from all stakeholders, particularly state chapters of the Forum. He urged members to move beyond rhetoric and adopt principled, sincere, and action-oriented strategies to tackle the region’s challenges.
He called for constructive collaboration with federal and state governments to restore peace, stability, and support the civil rehabilitation of communities affected by violence.
The ACF Chairman also appealed to political actors to shift attention away from early election campaigns and instead prioritise urgent issues such as insecurity, hunger, poverty, and the rising number of out-of-school children.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, the Forum pledged to work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful and credible elections, while encouraging citizens to fulfil their civic responsibilities and respect the rule of law.
Osuman emphasised that addressing insecurity must remain a top priority for leaders at all levels to safeguard the survival, stability, and long-term development of Northern Nigeria.
The ACF’s statement comes amid renewed public concern over escalating attacks and mounting humanitarian pressures across the region.
What you should know
The Arewa Consultative Forum has sounded the alarm over rising insecurity in Northern Nigeria, citing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency as major threats.
The Forum highlighted growing displacement, school closures, economic disruption, and worsening humanitarian conditions.
It has called for urgent collaboration between stakeholders and governments while urging politicians to focus on security and social challenges rather than early electioneering.
