The Arewa Consultative Forum has accused the Federal Government of showing signs of neglect in its response to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that the escalating violence requires urgent and sustained action.
The ACF, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said it was “gravely disturbed” by what it described as the government’s apparent growing neglect of the security crisis across the country.
The forum said the situation had continued to deteriorate despite repeated warnings and appeals for stronger intervention, with communities facing attacks, killings, kidnappings and displacement.
The latest position follows an earlier warning by the ACF that Nigeria’s security challenges had reached what it described as a “state of war.” In April, the forum called on the Federal Government to treat insecurity as the country’s overriding national emergency and redirect resources towards tackling the crisis.
The ACF has also raised concerns about the wider consequences of insecurity, particularly its impact on agriculture, economic activity and livelihoods in northern Nigeria. It argued that persistent violence was disrupting farming and supply chains while worsening poverty and economic hardship.
In its Independence Day message earlier this month, ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman urged Nigerians to hold political leaders accountable for their handling of insecurity, poverty and other national challenges. He said some of the difficult conditions confronting citizens were being perpetrated or aggravated by people entrusted with leadership and governance.
Osuman urged Nigerians to assess candidates based on their records and positions on national issues ahead of the 2027 elections, rather than simply following political party directives.
The ACF’s latest criticism adds to growing calls from civil society groups, political actors and other stakeholders for stronger measures to address insecurity. The Federal Government has continued to defend its security efforts, while security agencies have intensified military and intelligence operations against insurgents, bandits and other criminal groups.
The forum is expected to continue engaging government and other stakeholders on measures it believes could help restore security and protect lives and livelihoods across the country.
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