by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s “benign neglect and inaction” over the continuing tide of insecurity in Nigeria, saying armed non-state actors are allowed free-reign to wreck daily violence on citizens.
In a press release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T.A. Muhammad-Baba, on 8th October, 2026, the Forum said it is gravely disturbed by the rate at which terror gangs disrupt livelihoods, displace populations and impose a state of anarchy, disillusionment and despair on communities.
The ACF lamented that, in contrast, elected officials and other politically-exposed stakeholders seem more concerned and obsessed with the forthcoming 2027 elections, while delivering governance has become a distant priority.
“Both scenarios are utterly as disheartening as they are frightening because they strike at the very foundation and pose definite existential threat to Nigeria,” the Forum said.
Citing examples, the ACF noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Anniversary address made only a single, fleeting mention of insecurity, as if it was just a grudging and irritating footnote.
It also pointed to scores of children still in the hands of terrorists in Borno, Kwara and other states, although those abducted in Oyo State at the same time as those of Borno have since been rescued and reunited with their families.
The Forum said many other hapless citizens continue to be herded into bushes and held in captivity under horrendous conditions.
It recalled that penultimate week, there were disturbing attacks by terror gangs on defenceless communities in Zamfara State, where five different incidents were recorded on a single day with lives lost, scores abducted and property looted, adding that attacks occur on an almost daily basis in the state, as if it has become a killing field.
The ACF added that in Plateau State sporadic armed attacks and killings punctuate daily lives, while on the Mambilla Plateau and other locations in Taraba State, grim news of deaths, injuries and destruction have become commonplace.
“The tragic scenario is repeated in other states such as Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kogi and other locations. On the rise are news of abductions, kidnappings, killings and ransom demands in Chikun Local Government Area and other locations in or bordering Kaduna City metropolis.
“In Imo State, prospective corps members travelling to report to camp were abducted and are still being held as of the time of this release,” the statement said.
The Forum asked how much more senseless violence, abductions and bloodshed need to be experienced to elicit appropriate action from those responsible for the protection, security, well-being and welfare of citizens, and when political office holders will prioritise security over political election or re-election concerns.
“Therefore, today, and for the umpteenth time, ACF calls attention to the deteriorating state of security in Arewa communities and elsewhere in Nigeria. Every new incident of insecurity should be one, too many. As time is fast running out, electioneering campaigns must give way to action over insecurity.
“Without equivocation, ACF insists that now is the time to stop the politics and end the killings,” the Forum stressed.