Governors from the 19 Northern states, alongside traditional rulers, are currently holding an emergency security meeting in Kaduna following the renewed surge in kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes across the region.
The discussions are centred on developing concrete strategies to curb the escalating insecurity troubling communities throughout the North.
Among the governors present are Uba Sani (Kaduna), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), while several others are represented by their deputies.
Traditional rulers—including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III—are also attending the meeting, which is taking place at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, on Monday.
Although an official communiqué has yet to be released, a government source revealed that the session is focused on urgent regional concerns, particularly the disturbing resurgence of kidnappings and banditry.
Recent reports have highlighted worsening attacks on educational institutions across the North, prompting several state governments to shut down schools temporarily.
Only last week, armed assailants stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the vice-principal.
Days later, gunmen launched another assault on St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, abducting more than 300 students and staff, though about 50 students were able to escape.
