In response to the escalating security crisis in the region, the 19 Northern governors have scheduled an emergency meeting for November 29, 2025, to be held in Kaduna State.
The planned meeting is coming on the heels of a parley by the South-West governors, which took place at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan, on Monday.
The South-West governors resolved that it was time for the creation of state police to address the growing incidents of bandit attacks.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State’s aide, Peter Ahemba, explained that the northern governors’ meeting would deliberate on concrete steps that could be taken to address the rising wave of kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of security threats.
Last week, armed attackers raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the vice principal.
A few days later, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, where they seized over 300 students and staff, though 50 students later escaped.
The South-West governors called on the Federal Government to urgently secure the forest across the region that have become hideouts for the criminal elements.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) were personally in attendance, except Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, who was represented by his deputy.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang is set to unveil a comprehensive plan to tackle insecurity in the state, according to his Special Adviser on Policy and Governance, Yiljap Abraham.
The Kebbi State Government said it has held a series of security summits to strengthen security.
Speaking in an interview, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Mustapha Muhammad, said Kano State allocated 10 vehicles and 50 motorcycles to the Joint Task Force operating in frontline councils affected by pockets of insecurity.
To prevent the abduction of students, the Bauchi State Government has announced the immediate closure of all schools while Gombe State Police Command said it has intensified security measures around schools.
The PUNCH
