The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu’s recent national address, noting the omission of the severe security situation in the North-West and other northern regions.
In a statement on Monday, NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, highlighted the escalating issues of banditry, kidnapping, rape, and other criminal activities in these areas, which have caused widespread fear and insecurity.
The statement emphasised the challenges in policing northern communities, where criminal elements continue to cause harm, resulting in abandoned farmlands, closed schools, and destroyed livelihoods.
NEF expressed disappointment that the President’s speech did not address these pressing issues or offer reassurance to affected communities.
The group regretted that despite choosing not to comment on the ongoing protests in the country—remaining committed to peace and national stability—the Forum had hoped for the President’s acknowledgment of the North-West’s struggles and other affected regions.
“They anticipated words of encouragement and an assurance of concrete steps being taken to alleviate the security challenges faced by these communities,” Suleiman said.
The statement said that “the NEF had high hopes for the President’s speech, expecting that he would address the dire humanitarian disaster that criminal activities have brought upon our nation”.
It said, “The scale of the crisis is immense, with millions of our fellow citizens displaced internally, and hundreds of thousands of orphans facing hunger and malnourishment.
“These are new and alarming realities that were previously unknown in our land. It is essential that the magnitude of this challenge is not underestimated. Dealing with this humanitarian disaster in the north will require a level of political will and administrative competence that goes beyond what is needed to defeat criminal gangs.
“The simultaneous challenges of combating insurgency and banditry, rehabilitating IDPs, and rebuilding lives, communities, and infrastructure must all be top priorities for the government.
“We expected the President to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and outline concrete plans for addressing these critical issues.
“The focus should have been on finding sustainable solutions to the crisis, prioritizing the needs of the affected communities, and ensuring that necessary resources are allocated to support them. It is vital that the government demonstrates a strong commitment to addressing this humanitarian disaster and shows that it has the capability to lead the nation through this challenging time.”
The group noted that the President’s speech should have reflected a sense of urgency and a clear understanding of the complexities of the situation.
“It is crucial that the government takes decisive actions to address the humanitarian disaster caused by criminal activities in our nation,” it said.
It added that the President’s speech should have “articulated a comprehensive strategy for tackling the crisis and provided reassurance to the Nigerian people that their needs will be met”.
It said, “The challenges ahead are significant, but with the right political will and leadership, we can overcome them and rebuild a better future for all.
“In times of crisis, it is crucial for the government to exhibit leadership and provide reassurance to its citizens whose lives and livelihoods are threatened by insecurity and instability.
“The NEF calls on President Tinubu to prioritise the security and safety of the people in the northern region and to take decisive action to address the root causes of the escalating violence and criminal activities.”
The Forum emphasises the necessity for the government to “engage with affected communities; listen to their concerns, and work collaboratively towards finding lasting, effective solutions to the security challenges threatening lives and livelihoods in the North-West and beyond.”
The Forum seeks immediate governmental action to address the dire security situation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of individuals in the region.
It calls for proactive and decisive measures to restore peace and stability, and to reassure communities of the state’s capacity to protect them from criminal elements.
