ABUJA, Nov 25 (The African Portal) – Nigeria’s 19 northern governors will meet in Kaduna on Nov. 29 to discuss worsening insecurity across the region, including a wave of school kidnappings that has forced several states to shut down educational institutions.
The meeting follows a similar gathering of South-West governors in Ibadan on Monday, where regional leaders renewed calls for the creation of state police to tackle armed gangs and bandits operating in forests and rural communities.
Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, confirmed the northern meeting in Lafia on Monday, saying it would focus on “concrete steps” to curb kidnapping, banditry and other threats.
Insecurity has escalated sharply in recent weeks. At least 24 schoolgirls were abducted and a vice principal killed when gunmen attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, last week. Days later, more than 300 students and staff were seized from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State; about 50 later escaped.
Ahemba said Sule—who chairs the North Central Governors’ Forum—cut short a trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to address the crisis and convened an emergency security meeting on Monday. “The government is on red alert,” he said.
South-West governors push for state police, forest security
At their regional security meeting on Monday, South-West governors urged the federal government to intensify forest surveillance and secure forest belts that have become hideouts for armed groups.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who read the communiqué, said the six states had agreed to establish a joint intelligence-sharing platform and a South-West Security Fund to support regional operations. “The time for state police is now. It can no longer be delayed,” he said.
The governors also raised concerns over illegal mining and unregulated interstate migration, saying both pose security risks.
State governments move to protect schools
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang is expected to announce a security plan to protect schools, his adviser Yiljap Abraham said, while Kano State said it has deployed additional vehicles and motorcycles to strengthen patrols in councils affected by violence.
Bauchi State ordered the immediate closure of all schools on Sunday, citing “overwhelming security concerns.” The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, suspended academic activities on Monday in compliance with the directive.
In Gombe State, police said they had increased patrols and reinforced vulnerable schools after a meeting with secondary school principals.
Education unions warn, Amnesty International raises alarm
Education unions criticised the shutdown of schools and accused federal and state authorities of failing to protect students.
“Education is under attack — by bandits in the bush and bandits in government houses,” said Academic Staff Union of Universities President Chris Piwuna. The National Union of Teachers warned it may withdraw teachers from high-risk locations.
Amnesty International Nigeria said continuing school abductions could deprive northern children of their right to education. “The trauma or fear of abductions will prevent thousands of children from getting an education,” Country Director Isa Sanusi said.
National Orientation Agency links crisis to identity divide
Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, said Nigeria is paying the price for lacking a shared national identity. Speaking at the inauguration of a committee to embed national values in university curricula, he said the country functions “as a collection of competing groups rather than a unified nation.”
