Shehu Sani, a former Senator representing Kaduna Central in the dissolved 8th National Assembly, has urged northern political elites to address the fundamental causes of insecurity in the region instead of politicizing the issue.
He alleged that Northern officials are capitalizing on the region’s security issues for political advantage in anticipation of the 2027 general elections, according to The Guardian.
During a courtesy visit by the Open Heart Foundation and the Women Empowerment Centre in Kaduna, Sani articulated a comprehensive critique of the political hypocrisy exhibited by the Arewa leadership and the escalating insecurity that has afflicted the northern area for over a decade.
He specifically identified almajirci, widespread illiteracy, poverty, and underdevelopment in the region as fundamental drivers of instability. He implored Northern leaders to address the matter directly without additional justifications.
Sani stated, “The terrorists in the North-East are individuals from the northern region.” The bandits in the North-West communicate in Hausa, Fulfulde, and Kanuri, rather than Mandarin or French. This constitutes our dilemma. “We alone possess the capability to resolve it.”
The civil rights campaigner implored civic organizations and NGOs to hold the government accountable, cautioning them against becoming instruments in political conflicts.
“Persist in voicing your opinions, but do not permit yourselves to be exploited to compromise our security agencies,” he stated.
The future of the North relies on valor, integrity, and cohesion. The inquiry persists: When will the North engage in a genuine confrontation of its issues? Sani has been included.
He additionally remarked, “For 15 years, northern Nigeria has been a battleground of violence,” detailing assaults by terrorists and bandits across the North-East and North-West. “Since 2013, schools, churches, mosques, and villages have all been affected.”
Sani contended that the security deterioration in the region reflects conflicts in adjacent Chad, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, cautioning that rebel networks are now functioning throughout West Africa “with escalating audacity.”
“Certain individuals are lauding assaults as they undermine the government,” attributing the encouragement of violence to specific political figures aiming to destabilize the current administration.
“Many of the most vocal individuals today remained silent while thousands were abducted under a government they referred to as ‘our own’,” he stated.
Sani emphasized, “They are now trying to exploit insecurity as the 2027 election nears.” Some even exult when soldiers perish. This is unethical.
He enumerated the prominent school assaults of the past decade: Bethel Baptist High School, Greenfield University, Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Jangebe, Yauri, among others, observing that numerous victims endured prolonged captivity while authorities remained indifferent.
Sani criticized the previous governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently claimed that the current administration under Uba Sani had disbursed over a billion naira to robbers.
Nasir El-Rufai has acknowledged that he previously sought to placate robbers. During his tenure, Kaduna experienced some of its most severe divisions. He removed his son from a local school owing to safety concerns. “The irony is pronounced,” he stated.
Sani asserted that Kaduna remains unsafe, although acknowledged the current administration for alleviating religious tensions and enhancing security in critical areas like Birnin Gwari.
“Governor Uba Sani did not assert complete peace; however, the relative tranquility and the reintegration of communities should be recognized,” he stated, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has also achieved significant advancements.
Sani rejected the notion that external entities would resolve Nigeria’s security crisis.
The United States will not rescue us. “Europe will not,” he stated.
“Our salvation resides in fortifying our military and uniting as a populace.” “Insecurity transcends borders,” he remarked.
He cautioned that as elections approach, assaults on educational institutions, churches, and mosques may increase, as “certain entities perceive violence as a pathway to power.”
Furthermore, the Acting Chairperson of the Open Heart Foundation, Hassan Abdullai Zubairu, and the Chairperson of the Women Skill Empowerment Centre, Rabiatu Nasiru, articulated their distress and anguish regarding the abduction of students and the pervasive insecurity throughout the nation.
“We approach you today with profound sorrow.” As mothers, we are distressed that our children have been abducted and are enduring misery in the wilderness at the hands of bandits. The women’s groups urged the government and compassionate Nigerians to guarantee the safe release of these children and all other kidnapped victims.
The leaders of these two Kaduna-based NGOs urged Senator Sani, as a human rights advocate, to convey their grievances to the relevant authorities to eliminate insecurity in the country.
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