Emergency Security Meeting Underway in Kaduna as Northern Governors, Traditional Rulers Tackle Rising Violence

By Emmanuel Kwada

An emergency security meeting is currently in progress at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna State, bringing together the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Leaders Council.

Hosted by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, with the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, leading the traditional council, the closed-door session aims to address the escalating security crisis plaguing Northern Nigeria.

The meeting, which began earlier today, focuses on strengthening security collaboration and devising strategies to restore peace and stability across the region. Attendees include security experts and key stakeholders, reflecting the gravity of the situation; governors and traditional rulers in traditional attire, poring over documents with serious expressions, underscoring the urgency of the discussions.

The northern region has been grappling with a surge in banditry, terrorism, kidnappings, and farmer-herder clashes, which have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands in recent months.

According to reports, over 2,200 deaths were recorded in the region in early 2025 alone, surpassing the total for the previous year. Recent incidents, including the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and attacks on communities, have heightened public alarm and prompted this emergency gathering.

The meeting comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide security emergency declaration last week, which included plans to recruit 20,000 additional police officers and deploy forest guards to combat armed groups. Tinubu’s administration has also vowed to free remaining hostages, including students abducted in Niger State, following successful rescues in Kebbi and Kwara States.

Governor Uba Sani, a prominent figure in the discussions, has been praised for his commitment to regional safety, with social media users noting his consistent leadership in such engagements.

Governor Yahaya, as chairman of the NSGF, is steering the strategic deliberations, while the Sultan of Sokoto brings the moral and cultural authority of the traditional council to the table. The presence of security experts suggests a focus on actionable, coordinated responses to the multifaceted threats.

The security crisis in Northern Nigeria has been compounded by the activities of various armed groups, including Ansaru, Lakurawa, and bandits operating in rural areas. The Middle Belt’s farmer-herder conflicts and recent cross-border threats, such as the suspected JNIM attack in northern Benin, further complicate the region’s stability. Nigeria’s historical role as a diplomatic leader in West Africa, as noted by the International Crisis Group, adds pressure on current leaders to restore peace and assert regional influence.

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