The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is very worried about the escalating insecurity, poverty, and humanitarian problems in Northern Nigeria. They say that terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping are forcing more and more people to leave their homes and disturbing their lives.
Reports from Vanguard said that ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, raised the warning yesterday during his welcoming speech at the Forum’s 79th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the ACF Secretariat in Kaduna.
Osuman added that the region has been having a lot of problems since the last NEC conference in August 2025. He said that natural disasters, deaths, and bad living circumstances have made things much worse for the people who live there.
“Terrorism, armed robbery, insurgency, and kidnapping are all on the rise, as seen in Kwara, Southern Kaduna, Katsina, Benue, and other places. He stated, “The effects have been terrible, with families and communities violently uprooted and forced to move.”
The chairman said that these displacements have caused camps and informal settlements to become overcrowded, making it harder for survivors to get to basic services. This increases the danger of hunger and death.
He went on to say that repeated attacks and the current climate of fear had made it hard for people to go to school, hurt rural economies, and made it harder for people to farm, get medical care, and travel.
Osuman said that the level of insecurity has gotten so bad that outside military help is needed. This shows how important it is for everyone to work together.
He said, “Our existence as a socio-cultural organization must not be just ceremonial or rhetorical; it must be principled, sincere, sacrificial, and action-driven.” He urged state chapters to work with governments at all levels to bring peace, stability, and civil rehabilitation to communities that have been affected.
He also warned against political diversions before the 2027 elections, saying that some new groups seem more interested in winning elections than in important concerns like hunger, poverty, and children who aren’t in school.
and constant attacks.
Osuman added that while some elected and appointed authorities have backed the Forum, many leaders still don’t understand ACF’s goals and programs.
The chairman told the members to stay honest and focused during their discussions. He stressed that the Forum’s work should always be centered on helping the less fortunate.
He talked about changes within the organization and said that the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved the formation of several committees, including a nine-member Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee to improve how the organization is run.
Professor Nuhu Mohammed Jamo, who used to be the Dean of the Faculty of Law at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and is now a legal consultant to the National Assembly on the revision of the 1999 Constitution, will lead the committee.
Osuman also told members to follow the ACF Constitution to the letter, stay away from sensationalism, and focus on programs that help the people of the region restore their lives, stay alive, and improve their quality of life.
He stressed the necessity for ACF to work with the right authorities to make sure that the next election cycle is peaceful and fair, and that people know what their civic duties are.
“The State of the Nation” is on the agenda. “Positions taken must be based on facts, and speakers should suggest realistic ways to fix problems, get better, and move forward,” he said.
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