The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a strong warning to the Federal Government over the worsening state of insecurity, poverty, and environmental degradation in Northern Nigeria, saying the region’s patience is fast running out.
The warning was delivered at the end of the ACF’s 78th National Executive Committee meeting held in Kaduna. Addressing journalists after the meeting, ACF Chairman, Alhaji Mamman Osuman, said the North can no longer afford to remain silent while its people are being killed and displaced, and its resources destroyed.
“This is not a time for silence,” Osuman declared. “Our security keeps deteriorating, our natural resources are being exploited, and environmental issues are increasing. The North must rise and stand together to defend itself.”
He described the daily loss of lives across the region as heartbreaking and unacceptable. According to him, men, women, children, and the elderly continue to fall victim to banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, floods, and other man-made and natural disasters.
Osuman stressed that it was time for both citizens and leaders in the North to reflect deeply, pray, and unite in the face of growing hardship and insecurity.
Also speaking at the meeting, ACF National Adviser, Bashir Hayatu Gentile, said the Forum had reviewed the many challenges facing the region and concluded that urgent action was needed.
“These problems are real, and the government must be compelled to act. Nothing is more disturbing than the insecurity — kidnappings and killings are now a daily affair. The North must unite and pressure government to do more,” he said.
Gentile said Osuman’s message to President Bola Tinubu’s administration was clear: the patience of Northern communities is running out, and the current approach to security is failing. He stressed that Nigeria needs a new, bold strategy to stop the destruction and restore order across the region.
The ACF expressed deep concern over a recent report by Amnesty International, which revealed that over 10,000 people have been killed in Northern Nigeria in just two years under the current administration. The report paints a grim picture of violence, mass abductions, and community raids that have left thousands dead and displaced.
Gentile specifically mentioned the recent attack in Malumfashi, Katsina State, where armed men stormed a mosque during dawn prayers, killing worshippers and setting the mosque ablaze. “The official report said 27 people died, but those on the ground said the number was higher. This is just one of many similar incidents,” he said.
He further criticized the Federal Government’s silence on the Amnesty International report, arguing that no official denial or response had been issued. According to him, this silence speaks volumes.
“Since the report was released, no one in government has come out to challenge it. That is why ACF insists that Nigeria’s security system must be completely restructured. The current setup has failed to protect our people,” Gentile added.
The Forum called on the Federal Government to urgently review its security architecture, increase intelligence operations, and strengthen collaboration with local communities. It also demanded more transparency in how security funds are used.
Beyond insecurity, the ACF noted that poverty and environmental degradation are worsening life in the North. Desertification, poor agricultural support, and a lack of infrastructure have left millions struggling. The Forum said more investment is needed in education, healthcare, and youth empowerment to address the root causes of unrest.
The North, which covers 19 states, has suffered heavily from insurgency, rural banditry, herder-farmer clashes, and economic decline in recent years. Despite military operations in parts of the region, armed groups continue to carry out deadly attacks, forcing many communities to flee their homes.
The ACF’s strong statement is one of the clearest signs of growing frustration in the region. Political watchers say it may increase pressure on the Federal Government to adopt a new strategy in dealing with security challenges, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Forum concluded its meeting with a renewed call for unity among Northern leaders, traditional institutions, and community groups. It also urged the media, civil society, and religious leaders to work together to raise awareness and build pressure for urgent reforms.
“The North is rising to say enough is enough. We want peace, safety, and justice for our people. If nothing is done, we cannot guarantee the patience of our communities much longer,” Osuman warned.
