Tensions flared on Tuesday between the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Nigeria Police Force over claims that the forum’s Kaduna headquarters was sealed ahead of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The ACF accused the police of shutting down its secretariat without legal justification, describing the action as unlawful and an attempt to frustrate its scheduled meeting. However, the Kaduna State Police Command denied sealing the facility, insisting that officers were only deployed to maintain peace and prevent a possible clash between rival factions within the organisation.
The disagreement comes amid ongoing leadership disputes within the ACF, centred on authority, tenure interpretations, and constitutional provisions guiding the convening of statutory meetings. The internal rift has, in recent months, deepened divisions within the socio-political group.
In a statement issued in Kaduna, the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said the forum’s office was not sealed by any court order and condemned what it described as an “unauthorised intervention” by security operatives.
The forum also dismissed claims that its NEC meeting had been cancelled, insisting that only its Chairman, Mamman Osuman (SAN), had the constitutional authority to convene such meetings. It further rejected an unsigned circular allegedly linked to the Board of Trustees suggesting otherwise.
According to the ACF, both the NEC and National Working Committee meetings proceeded based on proper constitutional procedures, and it urged the Inspector-General of Police to order the reopening of its secretariat.
The group maintained that there was no security threat to justify the police presence, adding that all relevant security agencies had been duly informed about its planned meetings.
However, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, explained that the deployment was purely preventive, following intelligence reports that two factions within the ACF intended to hold separate meetings at the same venue and time.
He said the police acted to avoid a breakdown of law and order, stressing that officers were not stationed to seal the building but to ensure that no confrontation occurred.
“We received information that two groups were planning to meet at the same location. To prevent any clash, we deployed officers to maintain peace,” he said.
The situation highlights the deepening leadership crisis within the ACF, which has seen disagreements over constitutional interpretation and authority claims intensify in recent months.
Despite the tensions, the police insist their action was strictly preventive, while the ACF continues to maintain that its autonomy was being undermined.
