September 3, 2025 – Northern elders have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently declare a state of emergency across the northern region, citing the alarming rise in banditry, kidnappings, insurgency, and communal violence that continues to destabilize the area.
The elders, speaking through regional forums and pressure groups, expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation, stressing that the killings and abductions have left thousands displaced, crippled economic activities, and deepened poverty in communities that were once thriving.
They argued that while the Federal Government has made some interventions, the scale of the crisis now requires extraordinary measures. Declaring a state of emergency, they said, would enable the deployment of more resources, specialized forces, and coordinated strategies to restore peace and order.
According to them, insecurity in the North is not just a regional issue but a national threat, as it undermines food security, disrupts education, and weakens investor confidence in Nigeria. They urged Tinubu to prioritize security reforms, fast-track the creation of state police, and strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms between federal and state authorities.
The elders further warned that if decisive action is not taken, the humanitarian crisis in the North could spiral into a wider national emergency with far-reaching consequences for stability and governance.