By MOHAMMED DANBABA
Forum warns Nigeria is nearing a dangerous tipping point as kidnappings, bandit attacks and rural violence spread across multiple states.
:::writing{variant=”document” id=”58271″} Nigeria’s worsening security situation has triggered fresh calls for urgent intervention, with the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a national security emergency amid escalating violence across the country.
The influential northern group said the Federal Government must move beyond assurances and adopt extraordinary measures to address what it described as one of the gravest security challenges in Nigeria’s recent history.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Abubakar Jiddere, the forum painted a troubling picture of a nation where millions of citizens now live under constant fear of kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other armed groups.
According to the NEF, attacks have become increasingly frequent in several parts of the country, affecting communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Borno, Oyo, Edo, Enugu and Imo states.
The group argued that the security crisis has reached a stage where normal government responses are no longer sufficient. It maintained that many Nigerians have lost confidence in the ability of authorities to adequately protect lives and property despite repeated promises from security agencies.
A major concern raised by the forum is the rapid growth of kidnapping-for-ransom, which it said has evolved into a highly organized criminal enterprise. The NEF noted that travellers, farmers, students and ordinary residents now face the constant threat of abduction while carrying out routine activities.
The forum attributed the worsening situation to several factors, including weak law enforcement, porous borders, the proliferation of illegal weapons and inadequate intelligence coordination among security agencies.
Beyond the security implications, the group warned that the crisis is inflicting severe economic damage, particularly on agriculture. Thousands of farmers have reportedly abandoned their farmlands due to persistent attacks, leading to reduced food production and increasing concerns about food security nationwide.
The forum also highlighted the collapse of economic activities in several rural communities, where residents have fled their homes to escape violence. In some areas, schools have faced repeated closures and disruptions over fears of mass abductions.
According to the NEF, the combined effects of insecurity have worsened poverty, unemployment and hardship for many families, further compounding the country’s economic challenges.
Citing constitutional provisions that place the security and welfare of citizens as the primary responsibility of government, the forum questioned why many Nigerians now feel compelled to rely on self-help measures for protection.
The elders also called for a thorough investigation into illegal mining operations and other illicit activities that may be providing financial support for armed groups operating in different parts of the country.
As part of its recommendations, the forum urged the Federal Government to declare a national security emergency, improve intelligence-sharing among security agencies, intensify operations against criminal networks, strengthen border surveillance and prosecute sponsors of violent groups.
The group further advocated stronger protection for schools and farming communities, as well as greater transparency and accountability in the management of security funds.
“The time for assurances has passed. The time for measurable action is now,” the forum stated.
The latest appeal adds to growing pressure on the Tinubu administration as concerns mount over rising attacks on communities, persistent kidnappings along major highways and the impact of insecurity on economic activities.
With insecurity increasingly affecting both northern and southern regions, analysts say the challenge has evolved into a national emergency requiring coordinated and decisive action from all levels of government.
Many Nigerians are now watching closely to see whether the Federal Government will introduce new measures capable of reversing the trend and restoring confidence in the country’s security architecture. :::
