The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency across the northern region immediately. They warn that the worsening insecurity has severely impacted socio-economic life and threatens Nigeria’s unity and stability.
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In a communiqué issued on Wednesday, signed by spokesperson Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, the forum expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents of killings, abductions, and violent attacks. They cautioned that failing to take urgent action could lead communities to resort to “self-help situations” and potentially result in anarchy.
The elders stressed that the Federal Government must act in line with constitutional provisions and international obligations to protect lives and property. They argued that inaction would undermine “national cohesion, democratic sustainability, stability of the polity, and regional peace.”
Recalling recent incidents, Jiddere cited the August 19 attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau Village where armed men killed about 27 worshippers during morning prayers and injured several others, displacing hundreds. He also mentioned the execution of 35 abductees in Zamfara State despite ransom payments, and two separate assaults in Kaduna’s Kauru and Kudan Local Government Areas that left eight dead and eight more wounded.
Outlining its demands, NEF declared: “Declaring a State of Emergency in Northern Nigeria, acknowledging the extraordinary scale of the crisis. Deploying adequately trained, armed, and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civilian populations and secure international border regions. Provide adequate compensation, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to victims including displaced persons, in line with international humanitarian standards. Strengthening border control and regional cooperation with neighbouring states under ECOWAS and the African Union protocols, to stem cross-border incursions by armed criminal groups. Engaging international partners, including the African Union, AU, and United Nations, UN, for technical and humanitarian support.”
The forum also accused Nigeria’s security system of failing citizens. “The NEF observes with deep regret that the state security architecture remains inadequate, overstretched, and in some cases complicit through inaction and silence, leaving citizens vulnerable and helpless while eroding public trust in government institutions.”
Jiddere invoked international legal obligations, stating: “Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), states that the inherent right to life shall be protected by law, and no one shall arbitrarily be deprived of life. The recurring atrocities in Northern Nigeria constitute serious breaches of these obligations, and in their scale and persistence, will amount to crimes against humanity under international law and humanitarian cases.”
The elders vowed to sustain pressure until urgent relief is provided: “The forum pledged to continue monitoring developments while engaging stakeholders nationally and internationally to ensure urgent relief for affected Northern communities.”
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