Insecurity: Northern governors okay state police, droop mining

By Soni Daniel, Editor, Northern Area, KADUNA

Northern governors yesterday warned that the area stood getting ready to dropping its future to escalating insecurity and deepening poverty, except leaders took pressing, decisive motion.

Additionally they known as for state police as a manner out of the excessive degree insecurity within the north, and requested for a 6-month ban on mining within the area.

That is whilst Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, urged his colleagues and conventional rulers to shut ranks and confront the area’s deepening safety challenges with sincerity and collective resolve.

The governors spoke at a time residents of Tsamiya village in Shanono Native Authorities Space of Kano State weekend got here underneath assault once more, as bandits kidnapped 11 individuals, together with a nursing mom.

This got here as routine safety operation at Authorities Day Secondary Faculty, Dutse, Abuja, yesterday, practically descended into chaos after some college students misconstrued the arrival of troopers as an tried kidnapping, triggering panic throughout the premises.

That is even s the police command in Abuja weekend, efficiently averted a deliberate mass abduction in a group throughout the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, following credible intelligence and a coordinated tactical operation by the command’s anti-kidnapping unit, after three of the bandits had been in a firefight between each events.

To rekindle the hope of fogeys, the Nationwide Safety Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, mentioned on his go to to Kontagora, Niger State, yesterday, that the pupils and employees kidnapped from St. Mary’s Personal Catholic Major and Secondary Faculty, Papiri, Agwarra LGA, had been in good situation and would quickly be reunited with their households.

Specialists additionally pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to implement the current emergency he positioned on safety within the nation, saying mere declaration was not sufficient to include the excessive degree insecurity in Nigeria
Talking at a joint assembly of the Northern States Governors’ Discussion board, NSGF, and Northern Conventional Rulers Council in Kaduna, Chairman of the Discussion board and Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, mentioned the north was at present confronted with “the grim actuality of insecurity and poverty that search to undermine our very existence.”

The 2-day assembly, held at Kaduna State Authorities Home, drew 19 governors, conventional rulers, safety chiefs and civil society representatives in what was described as a closing push for a coordinated response to terrorism, banditry and social decay within the area.

Governor Yahaya mentioned future generations would choose right this moment’s leaders not by the variety of initiatives they commissioned however by whether or not they had been in a position to bequeath to them a northern Nigeria they may actually name residence.

He paid tribute to President Bola Tinubu, commending his “robust management and steadfast dedication to Nigeria’s safety, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” particularly within the rescue efforts for kidnapped schoolchildren.

The governor prolonged condolences to households of pupils kidnapped in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Kano, Niger and Sokoto states, in addition to victims of current Boko Haram assaults in Borno and Yobe states..

He insisted that assaults on training had been an assault on the area’s future.

Warning that insecurity spared nobody, poor or wealthy, Muslim or Christian, Governor Yahaya sought an finish to partisan bickering and a united stand to “make sure the very survival of the north and Nigeria at massive.”

He additionally known as for the rejection of divisive narratives, saying the disaster was pushed not solely by crime but in addition by underdevelopment, illiteracy, poor useful resource administration, local weather change and the abandonment of thousands and thousands of Almajiri and out-of-school kids.

Topping the agenda was a renewed name for the institution of state police.

Reaffirming the Might 10, 2025, communique of the NSGF, the governors mentioned state policing remained “a vital and efficient mechanism” to handle right this moment’s safety challenges and urged the Nationwide Meeting to fast-track constitutional amendments required to make it a actuality.

Conventional rulers had been tasked to deploy their affect as “stabilisers,” whereas spiritual leaders had been urged to evangelise tolerance and keep away from incendiary rhetoric.

Political leaders, the discussion board warned, should desist from exploiting ethnic or spiritual variations for political beneficial properties.

Safety companies had been equally inspired to take care of proactive surveillance and well timed responses, whereas the judiciary was known as upon to make sure swift prison justice supply.

In a joint declaration, the governors pledged to work intently with the federal authorities, underneath President Tinubu, “to show the tide and guarantee lasting peace and stability for our area and the nation at massive.”

Northern leadersmust shut ranks — Gov Sani

On the summit, Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, urged the northern governors and conventional rulers to shut ranks and confront the area’s deepening safety challenges with sincerity and collective resolve.

He recommended the discussion board’s chairman for what he described as regular and brave management, whereas paying tribute to conventional rulers for his or her stabilising position, saying their steerage remained vital in a area battling a number of threats.

Sani warned that regardless of progress, the north was witnessing a disturbing pattern the place insecurity was being politicised by some opposition parts “looking for to amplify concern and weaken public belief.”

He mentioned: “We should resist this behaviour and work collectively to handle the safety scenario. We now have a President who understands the north, values the north, and persistently respects our views.”

Reiterating his long-standing name for state police, Sani famous that Nigeria’s extremely centralised policing construction was now not efficient for a rustic of over 230 million individuals with huge areas that remained troublesome to safe.

He urged northern leaders to have frank conversations, embrace daring reforms and reveal the visionary management their individuals anticipated.

“Historical past will bear in mind the alternatives we make in moments like this,” he mentioned.

Talking on behalf of the standard rulers, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’advert Abubakar III, threw his weight behind the governors, urging them to accentuate their efforts in tackling insecurity and socio-economic hardship.

“As leaders, we have to actually inform ourselves the reality. However I need to guarantee you, we’re 100 per cent with you on this drive to make the north a greater place as a result of we don’t have every other place to be,’’ he mentioned.

Sultan backs govs

The Sultan mentioned the area was at a defining second that demanded honesty, braveness and unwavering collaboration amongst political and conventional leaders.

He mentioned the assembly provided yet one more probability to “deliberate significantly” on threats to the soundness of the north and the unity of Nigeria, stressing that leaders have to be truthful with each other and with residents.

Terrorists abduct Nursing mom, different

Confirming the newest abduction in Kano State, chairman of Faruruwa group and environs safety committee in Shanono LGA, Yahaya Bagobiri, who confirmed the event, mentioned the bandits of their numbers stormed the village on Sunday night and whisked away the victims.

Bagobiri complained bitterly about alleged failure of safety personnel to foil the bandit’s assault, even supposing villagers bought wind of motion of the bandits into the realm and notified the personnel.

He mentioned: “Since about 7pm on Sunday night, we bought wind concerning the motion of the bandits into the group. We bought info that they had been noticed at Kogari, that they had been transferring nearer and we notified the safety companies however they didn’t act as a result of they weren’t given any order.

“The bandits kidnapped 11 individuals, together with a nursing mom. The ten others kidnapped included three males and 7 youths,” Bagobiri mentioned.

Spokesperson of Kano State police command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, couldn’t be reached as his quantity was switched off on the time of submitting this report.

The assault got here barely hours after bandits invaded Yankamaye village in Tsanyanwa Native Authorities Space, killing a lady and kidnapped three different ladies.

Panic at Abuja college as College students mistake Troopers for kidnappers

Equally, a routine safety operation at Authorities Day Secondary Faculty, Dutse, Abuja, nearly led to chaos yesterday after some college students misconstrued the arrival of troopers as an tried kidnapping, triggering panic throughout the premises.

The confusion, which mirrors rising public nervousness amid recurring terror assaults throughout the nation, got here barely every week after pupils in Rukubi, Doma Native Authorities Space of Nasarawa State additionally mistook a bunch of hunters for armed kidnappers.

A go to by Vanguard confirmed that many college students had been visibly unsettled, reflecting the heightened concern that now path each day college actions in weak communities.

In response to college officers, the establishment routinely invitations cops or troopers to safe the college throughout main examinations, notably on days normal topics, comparable to English, Arithmetic, Biology, or Economics, are written, however on this event, the sight of troopers sparked a misunderstanding.

Witnesses mentioned a scholar, both on account of mischief or real concern, misinterpret the presence of the uniformed personnel and raised a false alarm, claiming bandits had stormed the college.

The hearsay unfold shortly, prompting a wave of panic as some college students bolted in numerous instructions and others tried to scale the fence.

A senior administrative employees, who requested to not be named, dismissed hypothesis of an assault, insisting the incident was nothing greater than a misunderstanding.

“Nothing occurred right this moment (yesterday), there have been no kidnappers or kidnapping on the college however simply troopers,” the official mentioned. The employees added that the college was conducting main examinations and had invited safety personnel as a precaution.

He added: “At the moment we’re writing exams, and right this moment (yesterday), we wrote two of our normal papers, arithmetic and economics, and as common on days like this, tensions are excessive. So, we needed to curb these kids’s excesses by inviting safety personnel for security.

“That is the college rule to both interact the police or the military. So, we engaged the military they usually got here to man the gates for the exams to be peaceable.”

The official famous that the panic was fuelled by college students’ tendency to amplify fears amongst themselves, saying “you understand kids, they will all the time incite tensions amongst themselves. So, considered one of them noticed the military and mentioned the insurgents are round and that was how they began working.

“Some tried to leap the college fence, nevertheless it was the troopers who instructed them to come back again, however they didn’t run out of the college. We wrote the exams, I even invigilated right this moment and everybody left peacefully.”

The scare got here simply hours after the Federal Capital Territory police command disclosed that it had thwarted a deliberate large-scale kidnap operation inside Abuja, following a string of current abductions in ACO group, Gwagwalada, and Bwari.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, mentioned intelligence indicated {that a} prison community meant to launch one other assault on “a group” on or earlier than December 1, 2025.

The police assertion didn’t point out the identify of the mentioned “group”, a improvement that had additionally despatched panic amongst some residents within the suburbs.

Police foil deliberate mass kidnap assault in Abuja, kill 3 bandits, after gunfight

Additionally, the police command in Abuja efficiently averted a deliberate large-scale assault on a group throughout the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, weekend, following credible intelligence and a coordinated tactical operation by the command’s anti-kidnapping unit.

The command mentioned in an announcement: “This breakthrough follows current kidnapping incidents recorded in ACO group, Gwagwalada, and Bwari, which prompted the Commissioner of Police, FCT command, to direct the anti-kidnapping unit to accentuate efforts to dismantle the prison syndicate accountable.

“Intelligence later revealed that the gang had concluded plans to launch one other violent assault on a group on or earlier than December 1, 2025, with the intention to abduct residents, demand ransom and inflict additional hurt on the group.

“Appearing swiftly on this intelligence, FCT police operatives on November 30, 2025, at about 02:11pm, traced and arrested one of many key conspirators, a needed kidnapper and armed theft suspect named Sani Mohammed Umar a.ok.a. Boko, and his cell phone, suspected to be the first machine utilized in coordinating the prison operations, was recovered from him.

“Investigations confirmed that the suspect belonged to the gang liable for the earlier assaults and kidnappings in ACO, Dupa and Gwagwalada, in addition to a number of armed theft incidents throughout Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

“He additionally admitted that his gang members had been ready for him at Gada Biyu Hills, Kwali, the place that they had converged to begin their subsequent deliberate group assault.

“At about 11:01pm, the anti-kidnapping crew, led by the OC-Anti-Kidnapping, tactically superior into the forest, reached the gang’s assembly level, and laid a well-planned ambush.

“On sighting the operatives, the closely armed bandits opened fireplace. The police responded decisively, participating the criminals in a fierce 30 minute gun duel, throughout which three of the bandits had been neutralised.

“Different gang members escaped with suspected gunshot wounds. Gadgets recovered from the scene embrace three AK-47 rifles, three journal with 33 rounds of seven.62mm reside ammunition.

“A joint operation involving Police operatives and the Ahead Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Military, 176 Battalion, Kwali, is ongoing, with groups combing the forest and blocking all escape routes.’’

Kidnapped Niger schoolchildren are doing nice, will return quickly – Ribadu

In the same improvement, Nuhu Ribadu, the Nationwide Safety Adviser, NSA, promised yesterday that pupils and employees kidnapped from St. Mary’s Personal Catholic Major and Secondary Faculty, Papiri, Agwarra LGA of Niger State, would quickly be reunited with their households.

Talking throughout a solidarity go to to Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic bishop of Kontagora diocese and proprietor of the college, Ribadu reportedly mentioned the youngsters had been doing nice and can be again quickly.

“This can be a very solemn and troublesome second for us, particularly after listening to from a few of the dad and mom and all of you. Nevertheless, we take accountability as a result of it’s our responsibility to guard you.

“This can be a directive from Mr. President, that we should come and go to you. Mr. President is in ache; he’s in sorrow similar to all of us. He stopped all the things he was doing; he was imagined to journey however he suspended his journey,’’ an announcement by the diocese quoted Ribadu as
The NSA famous that the federal government would now not tolerate the actions of criminals terrorizing Nigerians.

“Sufficient is sufficient. We won’t be relentless in our efforts. We’re all underneath assault. Allow us to not permit unhealthy individuals to divide us; allow us to not permit evil to get into us,” he mentioned.

Ribadu mentioned worldwide companions had been rallying behind Nigeria within the combat towards terrorism and banditry.

“Many good individuals from everywhere in the world are coming to help us, together with the US of America.

“We admire everybody, particularly European nations comparable to France, the UK and a few others. The entire world is coming collectively to cease and defeat this evil which has been occurring in Nigeria for 20 years.”

Earlier in his remarks, Yohanna thanked President Bola Tinubu, after which they went right into a closed door assembly that lasted about half-hour.

Tinubu should implement emergency declaration on safety for it to succeed — Specialists

In the meantime, the declaration of emergency on insecurity within the nation by President Bola Tinubu has drawn sharp reactions from a cross part of consultants within the northern a part of the nation.

Whereas most of the consultants consider the president took the correct motion to save lots of the scenario, others claimed he missed the purpose by not eradicating political buildings and calling within the navy to run states significantly threatened by insecurity within the north as he not too long ago did in Rivers State.

The break up in opinions by safety consultants interviewed by our correspondents relate to the scope, implications and the extent to which the emergency can stem the worsening wave of killings, mass abductions, banditry and terrorism ravaging the northern a part of the nation the place the scenario is most crucial.

Sokoto

A safety professional in Sokoto State, Amadu Sokoto, mentioned the President’s proclamation should transcend symbolism and translate into concrete motion, together with speedy deployment of particular forces to probably the most affected zones, a complete overhaul of intelligence gathering by way of enhanced inter-agency cooperation, a strong technological improve comparable to drone surveillance and satellite tv for pc monitoring.

Others are strengthened communication techniques, clear guidelines of engagement empowering safety forces to dismantle terror networks, disruption of economic provide traces sustaining terrorists and bandits, reinforcement of border safety throughout the northern corridors, and the creation of particular safety zones the place federal authority supersedes native buildings, alongside quick humanitarian help to displaced and weak residents.

Sokoto, a retired navy personnel, defined that the emergency would solely be significant if it delivered seen, measurable and sustained reductions in assaults. He recognized northern states requiring precedence consideration underneath the safety emergency as these with the best ranges of violent assaults, mass abductions and terrorist actions, notably within the northwestern axis.

On whether or not the emergency can cut back killings and kidnappings, he mentioned the end result would depend upon political will and operational effectivity, noting that vital progress might be achieved if the federal government deployed overwhelming pressure to dismantle armed camps, disrupts weapon provide chains, strengthened actionable intelligence, enforced accountability amongst subject commanders, eradicated corruption in safety spending and complemented navy motion with socio-economic rehabilitation in affected communities.

Taraba

A safety analyst in Taraba State, Ben Adaji, requested President Bola Tinubu to implement the emergency declaration with a timeline of six months in states that appeared helpless whereas terrorists and bandits preyede on their residents.
Adaji famous that the highest navy brass must be tasked to go on the offensive inside this era, after which the emergency rule might be lifted.
He mentioned if this was performed, it might do numerous good, because the principal accountability of presidency remained the safety of lives and property.
He mentioned: “I’m of the opinion that governors of these states to be affected ought to vacate their seats briefly and permit the navy to supervise the affairs of presidency throughout the interval of the emergency rule.
“It’s now not information that Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Borno States have remained ungovernable for months now resulting from fixed assaults by the bandits. So, the navy must be deployed to deal with the affairs of the affected states.
“As I mentioned, safety issues of this nature shouldn’t be politicised, it must be dealt with militarily. I’m optimistic the tensed safety scenario in these states can be lowered.”

Bauchi

In Bauchi, residents considered the declaration as a crucial measure, however emphasised the necessity for efficient implementation to handle the underlying points driving insecurity.
A retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Duku, nevertheless, questioned the scope and readability of the declaration, questioning if it might grant safety companies the required powers to behave in a state, comparable to Bauchi, the place colleges had been shut resulting from threats by bandits.
Duku mentioned: “I feel whereas the president means nicely, he wants very sound safety advisers round him, as a result of the difficulty isn’t just about declaring emergency on safety, the query is whether or not there’s a holistic plan for clearing out these insurgents which can be ravaging our land.
“Emergency might not be the last word answer, there are earlier cases the place it didn’t totally resolve safety points. There must be a complete strategy, together with addressing socio-economic challenges and bettering governance.’’

Adamawa

A retired Military Officer, Colonel Clems Ekong, mentioned the Presidential declaration on insecurity was a welcome improvement however noticed that the issue would lie with implementation.
Ekong, now a safety adviser to multi authorities companies, mentioned mere declaration of emergency on kidnapping, bandits and, what have you ever, in the whole central Nigeria and past wanted holistic and navy strategy by the safety companies
He added that mere declaration of emergency wouldn’t and will by no means cease the mindless killings, kidnapping and mass abduction of faculty kids in numerous elements of Nigeria.
A safety professional in Kebbi State, Mamman Bashar, faulted the emergency declared by President Tinubu.
In response to him, the emergency can solely be declared when a rustic is at warfare and Nigeria will not be at warfare however experiencing safety challenges being unleashed by non-state actors allowed by the powers that be.
He famous that for the declaration to work, each construction of democratic governance ought to give manner for the navy to take care of the scenario.
He maintained that no state in Nigeria was solely managed by armed teams, even within the affected states, including that it was mistaken for the president to declare emergency with out taking steps to dam the funding of armed teams and take care of the sponsors.

Niger State

Equally, the Director, Media and Public Affairs Communication, Institute of Skilled Safety, IIPS, Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, described the step taken by the president as one in the correct path.
Jabi argued that the declaration of emergency on insecurity was lengthy overdue resulting from each inner and exterior pressures being mounted on the federal government, notably by US President, Donald Trump,
Jabi mentioned: “With the escalation of banditry, kidnappings, insecurity throughout, the emergency ought to cowl all states, particularly the northern half the place it’s extra pronounced.
“Absolutely, the declaration will cut back additional escalation of insecurity throughout the nation, particularly that the president has given the service chiefs the marching order and likewise directed the quick recruitment of fifty,000 further safety personnel throughout the nation. It will recapitalise and strengthen the safety in the direction of extra effectivity and repair supply to the nation.
“Replicating the kind of emergency declared on Rivers on the whole nation can’t work as a result of the circumstances usually are not the identical. The scenario that warranted state of emergency in Rivers State was politically-motivated and isn’t the identical as we’ve within the north.’’

Kwara State

In Kwara State, safety professional, Fabode Oluwafemi Moses, mentioned no well-meaning chief would hold quiet whereas terrorists run amock within the nation.
Fabode, nevertheless, mentioned safety companies in Nigeria have to be extra technologically outfitted to defeat the criminals who now threaten the nation.
“ What I’ll simply advise is that the federal authorities be certain they permit individuals to hold this single barrel, not prohibited forearms. Single barrels are weapons that use cartridges, at the very least for everyone to be armed, in our personal little method to defend the group.”

Plateau
In Plateau State, they agreed that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide emergency on insecurity was anticipated to set off quick, focused actions to halt killings, mass abductions and banditry throughout the nation.
A safety analyst, Gregory Dauda, mentioned the emergency ought to contain speedy deployment of personnel, decisive intelligence-led operations, drone surveillance, and strengthened safety of faculties, highways and rural communities, and should additionally outline clear authorized boundaries, timelines and parliamentary oversight to keep away from abuse.
“Whereas the emergency could cut back assaults within the brief time period by rising strain on prison networks, killings won’t cease except the measures are sustained and paired with community-based policing, native intelligence and accountability.”

Zamfara

In Zamfara, safety consultants threw their weights behind the president on the emergency declaration.

In an interview with Vanguard, a safety professional, and former Director, Safety Issues, Zamfara State and quick previous Commandant, Zamfara Anti-Thuggery, Mohammed Bello Bakyasuwa Soja, requested the federal government to take no matter steps essential to defeat bandits and terrorists within the northern a part of the nation.

Benue

In Benue Retired Comptroller of Prisons and safety professional, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, requested the federal authorities to make sure that the not too long ago declared safety emergency by President Bola Tinubu was directed strictly at states grappling with violent crimes, not dismantling democratic buildings as seen within the case of Rivers State.

Talking in Makurdi, Chief Ihagh mentioned the emergency ought to give attention to large deployment of safety personnel and navy forces to the epicentres of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.

He mentioned: “Emergency on safety is what I’ve been advocating over a number of months. It must be focused at states which can be recording very excessive charges of Boko Haram actions, kidnapping, banditry, killings and even genocide.”

Chief Ihagh listed states that must be prioritised underneath the emergency to incorporate Benue, Plateau, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa and Niger, amongst others, however insisted that the transfer should not undermine constitutional governance.

“We should state clearly that the safety emergency doesn’t require the dismantling of democratic buildings within the states. What the President ought to do is to make sure large deployment of safety personnel and the navy to those states to go in any case these concerned within the safety breach and get them arrested directly.”

In response to him, Nigeria has the capability to neutralise the prison parts destabilising troubled communities.

“We all know these behind these acts of criminality and banditry. As a nation, we must always have the attain to get at them and make sure the return of peace in our nation.”

Katsina

A former Director of the Division of State Companies, DSS, and ex-Senior Particular Adviser on Safety to the quick previous governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Katsina, described President Bola Tinubu’s newly declared emergency on safety as a “directional and long-overdue reform” that may lastly permit states to take possession of inner safety and cultivate policing buildings.

Talking in an unique interview with Vanguard, Katsina mentioned the President’s directive was one of many strongest indicators but that the federal authorities was able to help community-based safety techniques and clear the way in which for the institution of state police.

“The President has given clear, directional directions. What stays is for the motion companies and state governments to use the containment measures he has outlined,” he mentioned.

Responding to issues that the emergency rule could mirror the “Rivers State mannequin” wherein an elected governor was sidelined, Katsina dismissed the hypothesis, insisting the brand new directive was designed to strengthen governors, not weaken them.

Katsina famous that Tinubu’s order successfully ended the “one-size-fits-all” strategy that has didn’t curb banditry and terrorism, particularly within the north-west and north-central.

Decoding the President’s tone and directives, the previous DSS director mentioned the emergency declaration successfully positioned the difficulty of state police squarely earlier than the Nationwide Meeting.

“The Nationwide Meeting ought to take cognisance of this case and begin the method of creating state police, as most states have been agitating,” he mentioned.

Katsina expressed optimism that the declaration will cut back mass abductions and violent assaults if communities cease leaving all obligations to safety companies.

He mentioned: “There isn’t any nation on the earth the place residents keep aloof. We’d like neighbourhood checks. Watch your neighbour. Should you see one thing, say one thing.”

Kingsley Omonobi, Wole Mosadomi (Minna), Demola Akinyemi (Ilorin), Bashir Bello (Kano), Omeiza Ajayi, Ndahi Maram (Maiduguri), Umar Yusuf (Yola), Marie-Theresie Nanlong (Jos), Charly Agwam (Bauchi), Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo (Kaduna), Femi Bolaji (Jalingo), Musa Ubandawaki (Sokoto), Peter Duru (Makurdi), Haruna Aliyu (Birnin Kebbi), Idris Salisu (Gusau),Ogala Ibrahim( Katsina) & Abel Daniel(Lafia) all contributed to this story.

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