The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has declared that Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation has reached what it described as a “state of war,” calling on the federal government to take urgent and extraordinary measures to curb the crisis.
The forum’s warning came amid fresh violence in the North-East, where suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military formation in Borno State, killing at least six soldiers and a woman during the assault. The incident is the latest in a string of attacks highlighting the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the region.
Reacting to the development, the ACF expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency and intensity of attacks across the country, noting that the scale of bloodshed and destruction now mirrors conditions of armed conflict. The group said many communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, are living under constant fear, with livelihoods disrupted and thousands displaced.
“The situation has gone beyond ordinary criminality. What we are witnessing is akin to a war,” the forum stated, urging authorities to adopt a more decisive and coordinated response.
In a related development, a United States lawmaker, alongside other stakeholders, has called on the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently overhaul Nigeria’s defence architecture following recent killings in Jos, Plateau State. The calls add to mounting pressure on the federal government to reassess its security strategy and deliver more effective results.
The ACF urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve the welfare and capacity of security forces, and enhance collaboration among security agencies. It also stressed the need for community engagement and long-term solutions to address underlying drivers of insecurity, including poverty and unemployment.
Security analysts warn that without swift and comprehensive reforms, the crisis could further escalate, threatening national stability and economic recovery.
As the death toll continues to rise from attacks across multiple regions, Nigerians are increasingly demanding decisive action to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.