The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed fear that banditry and insurgency have gone out of control in Northern Nigeria to the extent that it may threaten the existence of the entire region in the next five years.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the ACF, Alhaji Bashir Muhammad Dalhatu, has expressed the Forum’s concern over the current insecurity in the North, and warned that banditry and general insecurity have posed serious threat to the survival of the region.

Dalhatu issued the warning on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during a visit to offer condolences and solidarity to the people of the state following the recent devastating flood disaster in Maiduguri.

Dalhatu described the North as being in an extremely dire situation, facing multiple crises including insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, and various other social vices and challenges in the North Central.

Dalhatu said, “Our predicament is worsened by insurgency and banditry, which have even made it impossible for our people to go to their farms.

“Many farmers can no longer access their lands, and we no longer produce enough food to feed ourselves.

“Millions of children are out of school, and social ills such as Almajiri and begging have become rampant.

“When you consider all these issues together, it becomes clear that we are in a perilous state.”

He warned that if immediate action is not taken, the situation could worsen, further threatening the region’s existence.

He said, “Ten years ago, there were no bandits in the North West. Today, however, nearly every state in the region is grappling with banditry.

“We fear that if this trend continues unchecked, the situation could spiral out of control in the next five years, endangering our way of life.”

Dalhatu emphasised that the efforts made so far over the last decade to curb the insurgency have failed to yield meaningful results and, in some cases, have only exacerbated the problem.

He noted that, “The actions taken in the past 15 years have not been able to stop insurgency; in fact, they have worsened the situation.

“We now realise the full extent of the danger we face, and the consequences of inaction will be catastrophic.”

He said that in response, the ACF has assembled a team of experienced and knowledgeable experts to thoroughly assess the situation.

According to Dalhatu, their findings will be presented to the 19 northern state governors, who will then take the matter to the federal government for urgent and decisive action.

Dalhatu assured that this time, the ACF is committed to ensuring that effective and sustainable solutions are implemented.

He said, “We are hopeful that, Insha Allah, the actions we propose will be far more effective. With determination and the right approach, we believe we can bring an end to these pressing challenges.”

The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Bauchi State Chapter has condemned allegations linking Senator Shehu Buba Umar to banditry, an accusation attributed to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed. The youth group labeled the claims as part of a politically motivated attempt to tarnish the senator’s image and expressed concern over the governor’s diminishing political relevance.

According to the group’s press statement,signed by Comrade Muhammad Hussain, the group’s chairman in Bauchi said
they believe Governor Mohammed has long waged a “political war” against Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South, in a series of actions aimed at damaging his career. The group cited instances where the governor allegedly sought to undermine the senator’s influence, including during a recent local government election campaign in Bauchi.

The youth assembly also referenced a previous confrontation between the two politicians over palliatives distributed by the state government. In addition, they highlighted the governor’s role in influencing the withdrawal of the senator’s traditional title, Mujaddadin Bauchi, conferred by the Bauchi Emirate Council.

According to comrade Hussain said the group emphasized Senator Buba’s contributions to various sectors, including education and healthcare, and his growing popularity across Bauchi State.

Comrade Muhammad also accused the governor of being threatened by the senator’s increasing political influence and accused the state government of corruption and mismanagement of public resources.

The Northern Youth Assembly also raised concerns about the recent online allegations of Sen. Shehu Buba’s involvement with bandits in Zamfara state. The group urged security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), to handle the allegations with care, dismissing them as baseless. They pointed to Senator Buba’s role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, arguing that his work with security agencies contradicts any involvement with criminal elements.

The youth group further called on anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to investigate financial irregularities in the Bauchi State government, specifically regarding contract awards and alleged misappropriations in the office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The NNPC Ltd/ Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) partnership has conducted a medical outreach, providing free eye health services to individuals with visual impairments in Ohaji/Egbema community of Imo State.

Through its “Eye Can See” programme, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the JV dispensed more than 10,000 reading glasses and successfully performed 639 eye surgeries, including cataract removals, for host community members who otherwise had limited access to such vital medical services.

The “Eye Can See” programme, which commenced in 2017, has been a beacon of hope in the eastern asset of the NNPC Upstream Investments, positively impacting over 20,000 people to date.

In his remarks during the event, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, represented by Dr. Obinna Otuu, Manager, JV Asset B emphasized the significance of the initiative to NNPC Ltd’s corporate mission of enriching the lives of Nigerians.

Elaborating further on the broader vision behind the programme, Wunti stated that the NNPC Ltd. takes pride in being more than just an energy provider. “We are a partner in progress, dedicated to making sustainable contributions to the communities that support us,” he added.

According to him, the “Eye Can See” initiative reflects “our belief that corporate structures can and should play a vital role in societal development.”

He noted that the programme goes beyond immediate medical care by educating individuals on lifestyle choices to prevent conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

Expressing his appreciation for the support of the local government, beneficiaries, and NNPC Ltd’s partners, Wunti observed that together with Seplat, the National Oil Company is paving the way for a brighter future where access to essential health services is possible for all.

“This project is not just about restoring vision; it is about giving people hope and the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives. This year’s outreach in Ohaji/Egbema is a testament to the ongoing commitment of NNPC Ltd. and Seplat to improve the quality of life in their host communities,” he affirmed.

The “Eye Can See” initiative has had a profound impact on the communities it serves. By providing free eye screenings, surgeries, reading glasses, and health education, the programme has transformed lives and restored hope to many who had been suffering from visual impairments.

NNPC/Seplat JV remains dedicated to contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development through initiatives like the “Eye Can See” programme. The partnership is committed to expanding the reach of its CSR programmes, ensuring that even more people across Nigeria can benefit from the life-changing services.