Dutse, June 15, 2026 — Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called for a new and decisive security strategy to tackle escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria, warning that the region faces an unprecedented threat to its peace, unity and development.
Yahaya made the call on Monday in Dutse while delivering a goodwill message at the meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held in Jigawa State.
Addressing the gathering under the theme, “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria,” the governor said the region was confronting its most severe security crisis in recent history, marked by banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and communal violence.
He described traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in maintaining peace and stability, noting that they remain trusted voices in their communities and vital links between governments and citizens.
The governor extended condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar in the custody of bandits, describing the incident as a grim reminder that insecurity spares no one.
“Insecurity in the North affects everyone irrespective of status. Whether farmer, traditional ruler, governor or retired military officer, no one is safe until everyone is safe,” he said.
Yahaya lamented that persistent attacks had displaced millions of people, forced farmers off their lands, crippled economic activities and disrupted education across many communities.
According to him, the security situation has reached a point where routine responses and unimplemented resolutions can no longer suffice.
“The time has come for decisive action. The old methods are clearly not working. We cannot continue confronting rapidly evolving security threats with outdated strategies and fragmented responses,” he stated.
The NSGF chairman disclosed that governors of the region had, in December 2025, resolved to establish a common Northern Security Framework but admitted that implementation had stalled due to unmet commitments by stakeholders.
He said the next joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, scheduled for July 11 and 12 in Kaduna, would focus on concrete measures to address the crisis.
Yahaya stressed the need for a unified position to be presented to the Federal Government, calling for a comprehensive security strategy that eliminates safe havens for criminals and ensures accountability for those who support criminal activities.
Beyond security operations, the governor linked the region’s challenges to longstanding socioeconomic deprivation, citing widespread poverty, unemployment and poor access to education.
He said about 86 million people in Northern Nigeria were experiencing multidimensional poverty, while the region accounted for the majority of the country’s out-of-school children.
According to him, the combination of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment has created a fertile recruitment ground for criminal groups and insurgents.
Yahaya expressed support for ongoing discussions on state policing, describing it as a reform capable of empowering states to respond more effectively to local security challenges.
He urged traditional rulers to strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and early warning systems by promptly reporting suspicious activities and emerging threats.
“Traditional rulers are not merely ceremonial leaders; they are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he said.
The governor advocated a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including improved support for security agencies, investments in education, youth empowerment, agriculture and interfaith dialogue.
He warned that lasting peace would remain elusive without sustained efforts to develop human capital, restore educational opportunities and revive the region’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
Yahaya called on participants to ensure that the meeting produced practical outcomes, including a common northern position on security priorities and an agreed framework for engagement with the Federal Government.
He also commended the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for convening the meeting and appreciated the Jigawa State Government for hosting the event.
The governor urged leaders across the region to work collectively to restore peace, rebuild local economies and secure a better future for coming generations.
“History will judge us not by the meetings we attended, but by whether we succeeded in leaving behind a Northern Nigeria that is safe, secure and prosperous,” he said.
