From BEN AUTA, Kaduna
The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called on northern leaders to back commitments on insecurity and development with concrete action, warning that repeated resolutions without implementation are weakening progress in the region.
Yahaya made the call on Monday while delivering a goodwill message at a meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Dutse, Jigawa State, attended by governors, traditional rulers, security chiefs and federal government representatives.
He said the security situation in northern Nigeria had reached a critical point, with banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and communal violence posing major threats to stability, economic activity and social cohesion.
“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he said.
The NSGF chairman urged leaders to move beyond discussions and adopt coordinated action to address insecurity and its underlying drivers, including poverty, unemployment and poor educational outcomes.
He said northern Nigeria continues to face deep socio-economic challenges, noting that millions of people in the region live in multidimensional poverty, while out-of-school children remain disproportionately high.
According to him, these conditions have contributed to the growth of criminal networks and violent groups that exploit vulnerable young people.
Yahaya warned against what he described as a cycle of ineffective responses.
“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 said.
He called for reforms including the establishment of state police, expanded investment in education and skills development, job creation and agricultural revitalisation, alongside stronger support for security agencies.
The governor also expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the killing of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, describing it as a reminder of the reach of insecurity.
He urged traditional rulers to intensify community vigilance and intelligence gathering, describing them as key actors in peacebuilding and security management.
“You are not just ceremonial figures; you are essential partners in security, unity and development,” he said.
In his remarks, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, highlighted ongoing security and socio-economic challenges in the North, while noting federal government efforts to address insecurity through military operations and inter-agency coordination.