The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has accused the Federal Government of failing to adequately address worsening insecurity across Nigeria, warning that continued attacks threaten national stability.
The group says armed groups continue to attack communities, abduct citizens and destroy livelihoods, while political leaders appear more concerned about the 2027 general elections than protecting lives.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF cites reported attacks and abductions in Zamfara, Benue, Katsina, Kogi and Niger states, as well as the abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.
The forum also criticises President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying it gives insufficient attention to the country’s security crisis.
“President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Independence Anniversary address to Nigeria, prosaically delivered, made only a single, fleeting mention of insecurity, as if just a grudging and irritating footnote,” the statement says.
The ACF expresses concern over children still held by terrorists in Borno, Kwara and other states, while noting that children abducted in Oyo State have been rescued and reunited with their families.
It also highlights repeated attacks in Zamfara State, where it says five separate incidents occur on a single day, leaving people dead, scores abducted and property looted.
“Indeed, on an almost daily basis, the attacks occur at different locations in Zamfara State, as if the State has become a killing field,” the statement says.
The forum further raises concerns about armed attacks and killings in Plateau State and reports of deaths, injuries and destruction on the Mambila Plateau and other locations in Taraba State.
ACF urges leaders to prioritise security
The group calls on elected officials and other political stakeholders to put the protection of citizens ahead of election campaigns and political activities.
It warns that the continued violence poses an existential threat to Nigeria and undermines public confidence in governance.
“In contrast, elected officials and other politically exposed stakeholders seem more concerned and obsessed with the forthcoming next year elections. Delivering governance has become a far distant priority,” the statement says.
The ACF insists that every new security incident is unacceptable and urges the government to take urgent action to end the killings, abductions and attacks on communities.
