Nigeria’s deepening security crisis has drawn fresh concern from the Arewa Consultative Forum, which has warned that the country is now effectively in a “state of war,” urging the federal government to adopt urgent and extraordinary measures.
The warning came after the Forum’s 38th Board meeting in Abuja, chaired by Bashir Dalhatu. In its communiqué, the group described the scale and persistence of violence across the country as a national emergency threatening Nigeria’s stability and future.
Prominent figures at the meeting included Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Mohammed D. Abubakar, Tukur Yusufu Buratai, and Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, reflecting the gravity of the concerns raised.
Boko Haram Attack Underscores Growing Threat
Even as the meeting concluded, suspected Boko Haram insurgents launched a deadly attack on a military formation in Mussa community, located in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The assault reportedly claimed the lives of six soldiers and a civilian woman, although security sources indicated that several insurgents were neutralised during the confrontation. The incident highlights the continued vulnerability of both military and civilian targets in the region.
Reacting to the attack, Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, called on the federal government to urgently equip the military with advanced weaponry, including drones, fighter jets, and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.
Call for ‘War-Time’ Strategy
The ACF stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges have gone beyond insurgency and banditry, evolving into a broader conflict with devastating humanitarian and economic consequences.
According to the Forum, thousands have been killed or displaced across states such as Plateau State, Niger State, and Kwara State, with agricultural activities severely disrupted—fueling food insecurity and inflation.
The group urged the government to adopt a “war-time approach,” including redirecting national resources from non-essential projects toward security operations, arguing that economic development cannot thrive without safety.
International Pressure Mounts on Nigeria
Adding to the pressure, a U.S. lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, alongside international diplomats under the United World Congress of Diplomats, called on President Bola Tinubu to review Nigeria’s defence leadership.
The call followed a wave of deadly attacks on Christian communities during the Easter celebrations across Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.
Daniels also co-sponsored a resolution in the Florida House urging the United States to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious persecution—an issue repeatedly flagged by international watchdogs.
Military Response and Ongoing Operations
Despite the challenges, the Nigerian military reported some operational successes. Troops under Operation Hadin Kai repelled another attempted insurgent attack in Benisheikh, preventing the area from being overrun.
While no fatalities were recorded in that encounter, three soldiers sustained injuries, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the conflict.
As Nigeria grapples with escalating violence, the ACF’s warning signals a growing consensus among stakeholders: without decisive, coordinated, and well-resourced action, the country risks further instability with far-reaching consequences for its people and economy.