In a dramatic and urgent response to escalating violence, the political and traditional leadership of Northern Nigeria has declared the region is on the brink of losing its future to rampant insecurity. This stark warning came during a high-level summit in Kaduna State on December 1, 2025.
Leaders Unite in Kaduna Amid Crisis
A joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council was convened at the Kaduna State Government House. The gathering brought together all 19 governors from the region, alongside key monarchs, security chiefs, and representatives from civil society. The central agenda was to forge a unified strategy against the wave of kidnappings and bandit attacks terrorizing communities.
Chairing the forum, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State painted a grim picture of the situation. He stated that the North is confronted with “the grim reality of insecurity and poverty that seeks to undermine our very existence.” Governor Yahaya emphasized that the violence “spares no one — poor or rich, Muslim or Christian,” and called for an immediate end to partisan politics. He urged a united front to “ensure the very survival of the north and Nigeria at large.”
A Multi-Pronged Crisis and the Push for State Police
The forum identified a complex web of factors fueling the crisis. Beyond the immediate security challenges, leaders pointed to deep-rooted issues including:
- Chronic underdevelopment and illiteracy
- Poor management of natural resources
- The devastating impacts of climate change
- The abandonment of millions of Almajiri and out-of-school children
In a significant move, the governors collectively declared that state policing remains “a critical and effective mechanism” to address contemporary security threats. They pressed the National Assembly to expedite the constitutional amendments required to make this a reality. The forum also issued a direct warning to political leaders, urging them to stop exploiting ethnic and religious differences for personal gain and to reject divisive narratives.
Recent Attacks Highlight Urgency
The urgent tone of the meeting was underscored by recent brutal attacks. In Sokoto State, armed bandits struck Chacho village in the Wurno local government area on Saturday, November 29, 2025. The assailants kidnapped a bride, her bridesmaids, and several wedding guests in a brazen midnight raid, firing sporadically.
Similarly, in Kano State, bandits attacked Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa local government area. An elderly woman was shot dead during the assault, and a number of residents were abducted. These incidents exemplify the pervasive threat facing rural and urban communities alike.
To combat this, the NSGF tasked traditional rulers with leveraging their influence as community “stabilizers,” while religious leaders were urged to preach tolerance and avoid incendiary language. In a joint declaration, the governors pledged to collaborate closely with President Bola Tinubu's Federal Government “to turn the tide and ensure lasting peace and stability for our region and the nation at large.”
