The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, describing it as having reached a “war-like” level and calling on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action.
This position was outlined in a communiqué released after the group’s 38th Board of Trustees meeting held in Abuja. The meeting was chaired by Bashir Dalhatu and attended by several prominent northern figures, including Mahmud Ahmed, Mohammed Abubakar, Tukur Buratai, and Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.
In its statement, the ACF emphasized that the country’s security challenges have moved beyond isolated incidents of insurgency, banditry, and communal violence, evolving into a broader crisis that poses a serious threat to national stability. It stressed that the magnitude and persistence of the violence require a significant shift in how the government prioritizes national issues, urging authorities to treat the situation as an urgent national emergency.
The forum expressed concern over the heavy human toll, noting that large numbers of Nigerians have either lost their lives or been displaced in states such as Borno State, Plateau State, Niger State, and Kwara State. It also highlighted that members of the armed forces have been among the casualties.
Beyond the human cost, the ACF pointed to the widespread economic impact of insecurity, noting that it has disrupted farming activities, especially in northern regions, weakened supply chains, and contributed to rising inflation. According to the group, prioritizing security spending should not be seen as undermining economic growth, but rather as a necessary foundation for it.
The forum urged the government to adopt what it described as a “wartime strategy,” which would involve redirecting resources toward security efforts, including reducing or postponing non-essential development projects.
In conclusion, the ACF warned that Nigeria is at a pivotal moment, where ongoing insecurity threatens both the country’s stability and its future. It stressed that without restoring safety and freedom of movement for citizens, meaningful development will remain out of reach, and called for swift, comprehensive measures to address the crisis.
