ACF accuses Federal Government of neglecting Nigeria’s worsening insecurity

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has denounced the Federal Government's perceived neglect and inaction regarding the escalating security crisis in Nigeria. National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Muhammad-Baba, expressed deep concern over the surge in violence perpetrated by armed non-state actors, which includes daily attacks on citizens, disruption of livelihoods, displacement, and the imposition of anarchy across various communities.

Prof. Muhammad-Baba noted that while elected officials and politically exposed stakeholders appear preoccupied with the impending 2027 elections, the maintenance of governance has taken a backseat. He criticized President Tinubu's recent Independence Anniversary speech, which only briefly mentioned insecurity, suggesting it was merely a cursory afterthought.

The ACF highlighted numerous instances of abductions and kidnappings, with scores of children still held captive by terrorists in states like Borno and Kwara. In Zamfara State, five attacks on defenseless communities were recorded in one day, resulting in lives lost, kidnappings, and property looting. Plateau and Taraba States also witnessed sporadic armed attacks and killings, with the situation becoming increasingly grim in Mambila Plateau and other locations.

The forum pointed out similar patterns of violence in Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kogi, and other regions, emphasizing that abductions, kidnappings, killings, and ransom demands have become commonplace. They further reported recent abductions of prospective corps members in Imo State who are still being held captive.

ACF questioned how much more violence, abductions, and bloodshed must occur before the government takes meaningful action to protect citizens. They urgently called for political office holders to prioritize security over electoral concerns, urging an end to electioneering campaigns and a swift shift towards addressing the deteriorating security situation. ACF condemns the politics of insecurity and demands that now is the time to halt the killings.