Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s apparent neglect and inadequate response to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that the continued killings, kidnappings and destruction of livelihoods pose an existential threat to the country.
The forum called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other political office holders to stop prioritising the 2027 general elections and urgently focus on protecting lives and property across the country.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed concern over the growing activities of armed non-state actors, accusing them of operating with alarming freedom while terrorising communities, displacing residents and creating an atmosphere of fear, despair and lawlessness.
The forum lamented that while Nigerians continue to suffer attacks, abductions and killings, elected officials and other politically exposed individuals appear increasingly preoccupied with political calculations and preparations for the 2027 elections, with governance and public safety seemingly relegated to the background.
It described the situation as both disheartening and frightening, warning that the persistent failure to adequately address insecurity threatens the very foundation of the Nigerian state.
The ACF cited President Tinubu’s Independence Day address as an indication of what it considered the government’s insufficient attention to the security crisis, noting that insecurity received only a fleeting mention in the speech.
The forum also expressed concern over the continued captivity of abducted children and other citizens in different parts of the country, particularly in Borno and Kwara states, while commending the successful rescue of children abducted in Oyo State around the same period.
It said many Nigerians remained in the hands of terrorists and kidnappers, subjected to harsh conditions in captivity as their families endured uncertainty and the pressure of ransom demands.
The ACF further highlighted the persistent attacks on communities in Zamfara State, where, according to the statement, five separate incidents were recorded in a single day during the previous week, resulting in deaths, abductions and the looting of property.
It noted that attacks had continued almost daily in different parts of Zamfara, creating the impression that the state had become a killing field.
The forum also raised the alarm over recurring armed attacks and killings in Plateau State, as well as reports of deaths, injuries and destruction on the Mambila Plateau and other locations in Taraba State.
According to the ACF, similar security challenges have continued to affect Benue, Niger, Katsina and Kogi states, among other parts of the country.
It expressed particular concern over the increasing cases of abductions and kidnappings in Chikun Local Government Area and other communities in and around Kaduna metropolis, warning that the spread of insecurity into populated areas has heightened fears among residents.
The forum also cited the abduction of prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling to report to camp in Imo State, who, as of the time of the statement, were reportedly still being held captive.
Although acknowledging that the incidents listed were not exhaustive, the ACF said they illustrated the broader deterioration of security across Nigeria and underscored the urgent need for decisive action by those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting citizens.
The forum posed two critical questions to the authorities: how many more killings, abductions and acts of violence must Nigerians endure before the government takes appropriate action, and when will political office holders begin to place national security above their ambitions for election or re-election?
It said the continuing bloodshed demanded more than expressions of concern, insisting that the protection of citizens must remain the foremost responsibility of government at all levels.
The ACF warned that time was running out and urged political leaders to shift their attention from electioneering and political manoeuvring to concrete measures capable of restoring peace and security to troubled communities.
It stressed that every new attack should be treated as one too many, adding that the continued loss of lives and the disruption of livelihoods could no longer be allowed to become a normal feature of Nigerian society.
The forum reiterated its call for urgent and sustained action to confront insecurity across Arewa communities and other parts of the country, insisting that the government must demonstrate the political will to end the killings and restore public confidence.
“Now is the time to stop the politics and end the killings,” the ACF declared.
