By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
As insecurity worsens across Northern Nigeria, regional leaders have called for the declaration of a state of emergency, the sack of Service Chiefs, and a cabinet reshuffle. They urged President Bola Tinubu to take tougher action against Boko Haram attacks, bandit raids, and mass abductions that have plunged communities into fear and mourning.
The call followed Friday night’s Boko Haram assault on Darajamal community in Bama Local Government Area, which left 58 civilians and five soldiers dead.
Rising from an emergency meeting at the weekend, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) urged President Tinubu to appoint “fresh and innovative military leaders” with a clear mandate and measurable targets. The coalition, which comprises leaders from diverse ethnic nationalities in the region, described the security situation as a “full-blown catastrophe.”
Convener of the forum, Dr. Dominic Alancha, said communities had been ravaged by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements. He noted that kidnappings for ransom had become a thriving industry, farmers could no longer access their fields, and major highways had turned into “death traps.”
According to him, Service Chiefs had failed to deliver effective strategies despite huge budgetary allocations. “Their tenure has been marked by an alarming increase in audacious attacks and a palpable sense of despair among our people. The security architecture has proven ineffective, and we therefore call for a fundamental overhaul of the nation’s security leadership,” he said.
NENF clarified that it was not advocating for blanket militarisation but rather a “targeted, multi-agency, resource-intensive operation” to flush out terrorists, dismantle their networks, and restore lasting peace.
While commending President Tinubu for political and economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and efforts to harmonise foreign exchange rates, the group observed that implementation had caused widespread hardship. It therefore urged the President to back reforms with a cabinet reshuffle to inject “competence and political capital.”
The forum argued that many ministers had failed to deliver results or build the political goodwill necessary for national stability. “As we look ahead to 2027, it is clear that the current cabinet lacks the strategic competence and political force needed to sustain the administration’s vision,” it said.
NENF called on President Tinubu to dissolve and reshuffle the Federal Executive Council, replacing underperforming ministers with individuals of proven integrity, capability, and political influence. It stressed that its demands were patriotic and aimed at securing Nigeria’s survival, especially in the North.
“We supported the President in 2023 and are willing to do so again in 2027, but that support is contingent on effective and decisive governance. The time for action is now,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Wake village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State was attacked yesterday by armed bandits in an early morning raid that left eight people dead and at least 20 others injured.
The attackers, who stormed the Southern Kaduna community in large numbers, also abducted an unspecified number of residents.
A senior police officer at the Kaduna State Command confirmed the incident on condition of anonymity, saying investigations had begun. “We will ensure peace and order in the area as investigations continue,” the officer said.
As of press time, burials were ongoing for the deceased, while efforts were being made to treat the injured. The number of abducted victims could not yet be confirmed.
