Northern Nigeria’s existence under threat from banditry, Insurgency – Arewa Forum

October 04, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has warned that banditry and insurgency pose a significant threat to the existence of Northern Nigeria, with potentially catastrophic consequences within the next five years.

ACF Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu, issued the warning during a condolence visit to Maiduguri, following the recent devastating flood disaster.

“The North is facing an extremely dire situation, with multiple crises, including insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, and various social vices in the North Central,” Dalhatu said.

He emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address these challenges and ensure the region’s survival.

Daily Trust quoted Dalhatu as saying, “Our predicament is worsened by insurgency and banditry, which have even made it impossible for our people to go to their farms.

“Many farmers can no longer access their lands, and we no longer produce enough food to feed ourselves.

“Millions of children are out of school, and social ills such as Almajiri and begging have become rampant.

“When you consider all these issues together, it becomes clear that we are in a perilous state.”

He said, “Ten years ago, there were no bandits in the North West. Today, however, nearly every state in the region is grappling with banditry.

“We fear that if this trend continues unchecked, the situation could spiral out of control in the next five years, endangering our very way of life.”

Dalhatu emphasised that the efforts made so far over the last decade to curb the insurgency have failed to yield meaningful results and, in some cases, have only exacerbated the problem.

Dalhatu said, “The actions taken in the past 15 years have not been able to stop insurgency; in fact, they have worsened the situation.

“We now realise the full extent of the danger we face, and the consequences of inaction will be catastrophic.”

Dalhatu’s visit aimed to offer solidarity to the people of Borno State, affected by the flood disaster.

The ACF’s warning comes as insecurity continues to plague Northern Nigeria, with escalating attacks and kidnappings by bandits and insurgents.