The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed concern over worsening insecurity in the region and called on state governors to work together with security agencies to address the crisis.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jiddere condemned the continued attacks by bandits and armed groups, stressing that insecurity has crippled economic activities and hindered development in northern Nigeria.
He urged the military to intensify operations against criminals while advising the Federal Government to combine force with dialogue in restoring peace. Jiddere cited the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s approach in resolving the Niger Delta militancy as a model worth adopting.
“In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, northern Nigeria powered the country’s economy through agriculture, industry, and trade,” he said. “But today, insecurity and under-investment have eroded those gains. This summit is about turning that paradox into opportunity and ensuring northern Nigeria steps confidently into a new era of growth.”
The NEF spokesperson also called on political leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to unite in reviving the region’s economy and securing its future.
The North has remained under sustained attacks from bandits and insurgents, with recent incidents including mass abductions in Zamfara and deadly ambushes on security personnel in the Middle Belt.
