Gov. Inuwa Yahaya Demands Action on Northern Security Crisis, Says ‘Enough of Empty Meetings’

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya Demands Action on Northern Security Crisis, Says ‘Enough of Empty Meetings’

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has urged political leaders, traditional rulers and security stakeholders across Northern Nigeria to move beyond discussions and adopt practical measures to tackle the region’s worsening security and development challenges.

Speaking on Monday at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Dutse, Jigawa State, Mr Yahaya warned that persistent insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment pose a serious threat to the future of Northern Nigeria.

The meeting brought together governors, traditional rulers, security chiefs and representatives of the Federal Government under the theme: “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria.”

The governor described the security situation in the region as alarming, citing the continued rise in banditry, insurgency, communal violence and farmer-herder conflicts.

According to him, the growing wave of violence has weakened social cohesion, disrupted livelihoods and slowed economic progress across many northern communities.

“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he said.

Mr Yahaya argued that the roots of insecurity extend beyond criminal activities, linking the crisis to decades of poverty, unemployment and poor access to quality education.

He noted that millions of people in Northern Nigeria remain trapped in multidimensional poverty, while a significant number of the country’s out-of-school children are concentrated in the region.

The governor said the combination of poverty, illiteracy and youth unemployment has created conditions that allow criminal groups and violent extremists to recruit vulnerable young people.

To address the challenges, he called for far-reaching reforms, including the establishment of state police, increased investment in education and skills acquisition, expansion of employment opportunities, revitalisation of agriculture and enhanced support for security agencies.

Mr Yahaya stressed that northern leaders must abandon the culture of endless deliberations without implementation.

“Enough of meetings that do not produce results. Enough of communiqués that are not implemented. Enough of promises that are not followed by action,” he declared.

The NSGF chairman also expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the killing of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar by bandits, describing the incident as a painful reminder that insecurity affects all segments of society.

“No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.

He urged traditional rulers to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering and vigilance efforts, describing them as indispensable partners in maintaining peace and security.

“You are not just ceremonial figures; you are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he told the royal fathers.

In his remarks, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, highlighted the multiple challenges confronting the North, including insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, climate-related pressures, drug abuse, farmer-herder clashes and the erosion of societal values.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to combat insecurity through intensified military operations, improved intelligence sharing and collaboration with state governments.

Mr Namadi also cited the recent Northwest Peace and Security Summit in Katsina as an important step toward strengthening regional cooperation.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector-General Tunji Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling crime and ensuring public safety.

He described the Northern Traditional Rulers Council as a critical institution and emphasised that the stability of Northern Nigeria remains vital to national peace and development.

“We must sustain collaboration to confront emerging security threats on all fronts,” he said.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for its longstanding role in promoting peace and community mobilisation.

He said the Federal Government was intensifying efforts to address both the immediate and underlying causes of insecurity through interventions in agriculture, education, economic empowerment and social inclusion.

According to him, the development and stability of Northern Nigeria remain central to the nation’s overall growth and prosperity.

Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, welcomed the participation of the NSGF chairman, describing it as a sign of the governors’ commitment to finding lasting solutions to the region’s challenges.

The monarch urged citizens to continue supporting and praying for leaders at all levels, stressing that leadership is a sacred trust that must be exercised with responsibility and accountability.

He also called for reflection and collective action, urging both leaders and citizens to learn from past experiences and work together to build a more peaceful, united and prosperous Northern Nigeria.