Insecurity Reaches Breaking Point: Northern Elders Forum Urges Tinubu to Declare National Security Emergency

Insecurity Reaches Breaking Point: Northern Elders Forum Urges Tinubu to Declare National Security Emergency

June 10, 2026

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has issued a strong warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling on him to immediately declare a national security emergency as escalating violence, kidnappings, banditry and armed attacks continue to threaten Nigeria's stability, economic growth and national unity.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the forum's spokesperson, Abubakar Jiddere, described the country's security situation as alarming and unprecedented, stressing that millions of Nigerians are now living under constant fear due to the activities of criminal groups operating across several regions of the country.

According to the forum, the worsening insecurity has exposed citizens to daily threats, with attacks becoming more frequent and widespread in states including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Borno, Oyo, Edo, Enugu and Imo.

The group lamented what it described as the government's inability to adequately safeguard lives and property despite repeated assurances from security agencies and authorities. It noted that many communities have continued to suffer deadly assaults from bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other armed groups who operate with increasing boldness.

The forum stated that the security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated to a level that requires urgent and extraordinary intervention, emphasizing that the nation cannot continue to normalize the recurring loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods.

The NEF expressed deep concern over the rapid transformation of kidnapping-for-ransom into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that has spread across the country. It argued that weak law enforcement mechanisms, porous borders, the proliferation of illegal firearms and poor intelligence coordination have allowed criminal networks to flourish.

According to the forum, many Nigerians now face the constant risk of abduction while travelling on highways, working on farms, attending school or simply carrying out daily activities. The group warned that unless decisive measures are taken, the kidnapping industry could become even more entrenched and difficult to dismantle.

Beyond the human cost, the forum highlighted the devastating economic consequences of persistent insecurity, particularly in agricultural communities.

It noted that thousands of farmers have been displaced from their farmlands due to attacks by bandits and armed groups, resulting in declining agricultural output and worsening food insecurity across the country.

The forum further observed that many rural economies have collapsed as residents flee violence-prone areas, while schools in several communities have experienced repeated disruptions due to fears of mass abductions.

According to the group, these developments have contributed significantly to rising poverty, unemployment and hardship among affected families, further worsening Nigeria's socio-economic challenges.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, the Northern Elders Forum questioned why many Nigerians increasingly feel abandoned and forced to defend themselves against criminal elements.

The group raised concerns over reports of inadequate deployment of security personnel to vulnerable communities, delayed responses to distress calls and the limited prosecution of suspected sponsors and perpetrators of violent crimes.

The forum stressed that Nigerians deserve protection, justice and the freedom to live without fear.

The forum also called for a thorough investigation into illegal mining operations and other forms of illicit resource exploitation that have been linked to insecurity in certain parts of the country.

According to NEF, criminal networks often thrive in areas where governance is weak and regulatory oversight is lacking. It argued that proceeds from illegal mining and related activities may be contributing to the financing of armed groups responsible for attacks in several communities.

The Northern Elders Forum urged the Federal Government to declare a national security emergency, strengthen intelligence-sharing among security agencies, intensify operations against kidnapping and banditry networks, prosecute sponsors and financiers of violent groups, conduct comprehensive audits of illegal mining activities, improve protection for farming communities and schools, enhance border surveillance and ensure greater accountability in the management of security funds.

The forum stressed that insecurity is no longer a regional problem but a national emergency affecting every part of the country. It warned that continued attacks and the government's perceived inability to contain them could further erode public confidence in state institutions.

"The time for assurances has passed. The time for measurable action is now," the forum declared.

Nigeria has battled various security challenges for more than a decade, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions where banditry, mass kidnappings and communal violence have displaced thousands of residents and disrupted economic activities. The North-East also continues to face insurgency-related threats despite sustained military operations against terrorist groups.

As concerns mount over attacks on farming communities, increasing kidnappings along major highways and the growing impact of insecurity on food production and investment, calls for urgent reforms and stronger security measures continue to intensify from traditional rulers, civil society organisations and regional stakeholders.

With pressure mounting on the Federal Government, many Nigerians are now watching closely to see whether decisive action will be taken to reverse what many observers describe as one of the most serious security crises in the country's recent history.