By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Northwest Youths Unity Forum (NYUF) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the worsening security crisis across the Northwest, issuing a 30-day ultimatum for decisive action against banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks that continue to plague communities in the region.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting held in Gusau, Zamfara State, where the group expressed deep concern over what it described as the deteriorating security situation and the growing humanitarian impact on residents.
The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of the forum, Murtala Ishaqa Jangebe, warned that the organisation would mobilise through lawful and democratic means to demand accountability should authorities fail to stem the tide of violence within the stipulated period.
According to the group, communities across the Northwest remain under constant threat from armed bandits, kidnappers, cattle rustlers, and other criminal elements, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents, and disruption of economic activities.
The forum alleged that a group it identified as the “Birom militia” has been responsible for a series of attacks in parts of the region and urged the Federal Government to investigate the allegations and take appropriate legal action where necessary, including considering its designation as a terrorist organisation if found culpable under the law.
Describing the situation as alarming, NYUF said several communities have been forced to abandon their homes due to persistent attacks, while major highways linking states across the Northwest have become increasingly unsafe for travellers and businesses.
“The Northwest is facing one of the most challenging security situations in its history. Communities are living in fear, economic activities have been severely affected, and many families have been displaced from their ancestral homes,” the communiqué stated.
The group further urged governors of the seven Northwest states to complement federal efforts by strengthening local security architecture and increasing surveillance in vulnerable communities.
Among its recommendations, the forum called for the recruitment of at least 2,000 forest guards in each Northwest state, adequately equipped with modern tools and logistics to secure forests and remote areas often used as operational bases by criminal groups.
Jangebe stressed that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, noting that residents of the region can no longer endure the persistent insecurity and its devastating consequences.
The forum maintained that if meaningful progress is not recorded within the next 30 days, Northwest youths would intensify advocacy and civic engagement efforts through lawful channels to press for urgent government intervention.
The latest warning comes amid growing concerns over the security challenges confronting the Northwest, where incidents of banditry, kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling, and communal violence have continued to threaten livelihoods and undermine economic development.
Security experts and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for enhanced collaboration between federal and state authorities, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained security operations to address the root causes of insecurity and restore stability across the region.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Northwest Governors’ Forum had issued an official response to the demands contained in the communiqué.
