President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged a decisive crackdown on banditry and terrorism across Northern Nigeria, describing the region’s security situation as the most pressing challenge facing the country. He spoke at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna on Saturday, with the House of Representatives Speaker, Tajuddeen Abbas, representing him at the event.
The President said his administration would not allow any part of the country to “bleed in silence,” acknowledging that the government inherited a deeply entrenched and complex security crisis. He emphasized the urgency of restoring peace, noting that insecurity in the North threatens national progress. “Nothing weighs more heavily on me than the insecurity afflicting Northern Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
He warned that the nation cannot thrive if a key region remains destabilized, stressing that the North’s stability is vital for the country’s overall prosperity. He noted that while the region faces significant challenges, including weakened communal cohesion and security lapses, it has not failed. Tinubu added that failure would only occur if leaders abandon their responsibility to protect citizens. “We fail the day we sleep comfortably while millions endure hunger, the day fear becomes a constant companion for travellers,” he said.
Beyond security, the President expressed optimism about the North’s economic prospects, highlighting the planned production of crude oil from the Kolmani fields and the impending completion of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Superhighway, which is expected to be commissioned soon in Kano. He also commended the ACF as a hub of moral leadership and urged its members to uphold values such as courage, justice, fairness, and collective responsibility, which remain crucial for the region’s progress and national cohesion.
This statement underscores Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity while promoting economic and social development in Northern Nigeria.
