The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has issued a dire call for action, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in northern Nigeria. This plea comes in response to the escalating insecurity plaguing the region, characterized by a relentless wave of violence, abductions, and killings. The NEF underscores the government’s constitutional and international obligations to protect its citizens, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for decisive intervention. They argue that the current security challenges represent not just isolated incidents but a systematic pattern of organized criminal violence and banditry, amounting to a potential crime against humanity under international law. The forum’s demand highlights the severity of the crisis and the perceived inadequacy of the government’s response to date.
The NEF’s communiqué paints a grim picture of the security landscape in northern Nigeria. The forum cites several recent atrocities as evidence of the escalating violence, including a mosque attack in Unguwan Mantau village that claimed the lives of at least 27 worshippers, the execution of 35 abductees in Zamfara State despite ransom payments, and attacks in Kaduna State that left numerous casualties. These incidents, according to the NEF, are symptomatic of a broader pattern of organized criminal activity that has resulted in widespread loss of life, displacement, economic disruption, food insecurity, and profound psychological trauma within communities. The forum contends that the scale and persistence of these attacks represent a grave breach of Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations to safeguard the lives and well-being of its citizens.
At the heart of the NEF’s concerns lies the perceived inadequacy of the current security response. The forum argues that security agencies are overstretched, under-resourced, and in some cases, complicit through their silence or inaction. This perceived lack of effective response has left communities vulnerable and eroded public trust in the government’s ability to provide security. The NEF contends that the government’s current approach is insufficient to address the magnitude of the crisis and that a more robust and comprehensive strategy is urgently needed. They specifically call for the deployment of adequately trained and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civilians and secure border regions, reflecting a belief that a more forceful and targeted approach is necessary to counter the escalating violence.
The NEF’s call for a state of emergency underscores their belief that the current situation demands extraordinary measures. They argue that the level of violence and instability in northern Nigeria has reached a critical point, requiring a significant shift in the government’s approach to security. The forum advocates for a multi-pronged strategy that includes not only enhanced security measures but also comprehensive support for victims of the violence. They urge the government to provide compensation, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis, highlighting the need for a holistic response that addresses both the immediate security concerns and the long-term needs of communities impacted by the violence.
Furthermore, the NEF emphasizes the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing the security challenges. They call for stronger border control measures and collaboration with regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union to prevent cross-border incursions by armed groups. The forum also stresses the need to engage with international partners like the AU and UN to secure technical and humanitarian assistance. This emphasis on collaboration highlights the NEF’s understanding that the security challenges in northern Nigeria transcend national borders and require a concerted international effort to address effectively.
The NEF’s communiqué concludes with a stark warning: continued inaction or inadequate responses will not only worsen the human suffering but also jeopardize national cohesion, democratic sustainability, and regional peace. This warning underscores the gravity of the situation as perceived by the forum and emphasizes the potential for the crisis to destabilize not only northern Nigeria but also the broader region. The NEF’s commitment to monitoring developments and engaging with stakeholders at both national and international levels reflects their resolve to advocate for urgent relief for affected communities and to push for a comprehensive and effective response to the security crisis. The forum’s call for action remains pending a response from the Northern States Governors’ Forum, who have yet to take a official position on the NEF’s demands. This highlights the complexities of the political landscape and the need for coordinated action among various stakeholders to address the pressing security challenges facing northern Nigeria.
