From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in northern Nigeria, citing the worsening insecurity and the government’s constitutional and international duty to safeguard lives.
In a communiqué signed by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the forum expressed grave concern over violent attacks, abductions, and killings across the region, warning that continued inaction could endanger Nigeria’s stability and undermine regional peace.
It lamented that security agencies remain overstretched, under-resourced, and in some cases complicit through inaction, leaving citizens vulnerable and eroding public trust in government.
NEF cited recent incidents, including the August 19 attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau Village, where armed assailants killed at least 27 worshippers during morning prayers, leaving many injured and hundreds displaced. It also condemned the execution of 35 abductees in Zamfara State, despite ransom payments, as well as separate attacks in Kaduna’s Kauru and Kudan LGAs that left eight people dead and several others wounded.
According to the forum, these incidents reflect a persistent pattern of organised criminal violence and banditry that have claimed thousands of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands, crippled economic activity, undermined food security, and inflicted deep social and psychological trauma on communities.
The communique read in part: “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.
“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.”
“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.”
