The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that the situation has escalated to what it described as a “state of war” and requires urgent, decisive intervention from the Federal Government.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the forum’s 38th Board of Trustees meeting held in Abuja.
The meeting, chaired by Bashir Dalhatu, brought together prominent northern figures, including Mahmud Ahmed, Mohammed Abubakar, Tukur Buratai, and Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, among others.
In its communiqué, the forum said the scale and persistence of violence across the country now go far beyond isolated cases of insurgency, banditry, or communal clashes, describing the situation as a full-blown national crisis threatening Nigeria’s stability.
“The scale, persistence and human cost of violence demand a fundamental shift in national priorities,” the group stated, urging authorities to treat security as an overriding national emergency.
The ACF expressed concern over the humanitarian impact, noting that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been killed or displaced in states such as Borno State, Plateau State, Niger State, and Kwara State. It added that security personnel have also suffered significant casualties.
According to the forum, the crisis has devastated communities, disrupted livelihoods, and placed additional strain on the nation’s economy. It warned that insecurity is severely affecting agricultural activities, especially in northern Nigeria, leading to supply chain disruptions and rising inflation.
“Redirecting national resources toward security is not a diversion from economic development; it is a prerequisite for it,” the communiqué added.
The ACF called for what it described as a “wartime approach,” urging the Federal Government to consider suspending or scaling down non-essential projects in order to channel more resources toward addressing insecurity.
While acknowledging the importance of development, the forum stressed that restoring safety across the country must come first.
“Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads,” the group warned, adding that until citizens can live, work, and travel freely without fear, meaningful progress will remain out of reach.
The forum concluded by urging immediate and comprehensive action to restore peace and safeguard the nation’s future.
