Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA/KADUNA — The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has sounded a stark warning about the deteriorating security and economic conditions in Northern Nigeria, urging urgent and coordinated action to address what it describes as an escalating humanitarian crisis affecting millions across the region. The alarm was raised on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during the Forum’s 79th National Executive Council meeting held in Kaduna, where leaders highlighted the intertwined threats of violence, displacement and poverty that have undermined stability and livelihoods in several states.
Addressing members of the ACF, Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, described the current situation in the North as “grave, devastating and deeply troubling,” pointing to rising incidents of terrorism, armed banditry, insurgency and kidnappings that have forced families from their homes and disrupted daily life. According to Osuman, communities in areas including Kwara, Southern Kaduna, Katsina and Benue are bearing the brunt of repeated attacks that have eroded public safety, restricted access to essential services, and crippled economic activities such as farming — the backbone of rural economies in the region.
Osuman told delegates that unchecked violence and insecurity have led to forced displacement, with many people now living in overcrowded camps and informal settlements where access to food, healthcare and education is limited. “Rural economies are strained, travel has become unsafe, and access to farming, schooling and healthcare has been discouraged,” he said, backing his comments with accounts of school closures in affected communities, which he said have compounded the crisis by depriving children of education and disrupting family life.
The Forum’s concerns mirror broader socioeconomic trends documented by international agencies showing that conflict and instability in Nigeria’s North have contributed to acute food insecurity. Data from the World Food Programme (WFP) indicate that nearly 35 million people across the northern states are expected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, the highest number on record in the country, fuelled by ongoing violence that deters farming and market activity.
Osuman criticised political distractions, especially preparations for the 2027 general elections, suggesting that political actors are prioritising electoral strategies over tackling pressing welfare issues such as hunger, poverty and the deepening insecurity. He urged leaders and stakeholders to refocus on community rehabilitation, peacebuilding and economic restoration rather than engaging in early politicking that could undermine efforts to address the humanitarian situation.
The ACF chairman also warned that external military assistance had become necessary in some instances, underscoring the severity of the security challenges and the need for federal and state governments to strengthen cooperation with local communities to restore peace. “Our existence as a socio-cultural organisation must not be merely ceremonial,” Osuman stated, calling for principled and action-driven engagement across organisational and governmental lines to tackle the multi-dimensional crises affecting the North.
Economic hardship in the North has been highlighted as both a cause and a consequence of insecurity. Displacement and restricted access to farmland have hindered agricultural production, limiting food supply and income for many families. This dynamic, combined with a broader national economic slowdown, has contributed to rising poverty rates across the region. Independent assessments indicate that Nigeria overall has seen poverty grow sharply in recent years, with hundreds of millions living below the poverty line — a reality that disproportionately affects northern communities.
Analysts say insecurity not only disrupts economic activity but also undermines confidence, erodes community resilience and discourages investment. In rural areas where agriculture once sustained families, repeated attacks by militant groups and criminal gangs have forced many to abandon their farms, leading to lost harvests and increased reliance on aid. Long-term displacement has also strained social networks and local economies, exacerbating the humanitarian toll.
Human rights and civil society groups have echoed concerns similar to those raised by the ACF, highlighting the urgent need for policies that address both security and socioeconomic conditions. They argue that sustainable solutions must integrate improved governance, access to justice, community engagement and greater investment in basic services — including food systems, healthcare and education — to rebuild trust and strengthen societal cohesion.
Government responses to these challenges have been varied. Security operations have been intensified in some flashpoints, and efforts have been made to strengthen local defence initiatives. However, critics contend that these measures are insufficient without addressing underlying drivers of instability, such as poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities for youth.
Local leaders in affected states such as Borno, Katsina and Kaduna have also called for enhanced federal support and better resource allocation to boost resilience at the community level. They argue that sustained attention to development initiatives, alongside security responses, is necessary to break the cycle of violence and deprivation that has defined much of the North’s recent history.
In its closing remarks, the ACF emphasised that the Forum intends to work with governments and civil society to champion comprehensive strategies that can reduce violence, revive local economies and improve the quality of life for residents. Osuman stressed that the time to act decisively is now, warning that delays risk further entrenching insecurity and poverty in a region already burdened by decades of conflict and hardship.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments