The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has raised alarm over the worsening insecurity in the region and urged state governors to collaborate more closely in tackling the crisis.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, condemned the unrelenting attacks that have hampered economic development in northern Nigeria.

He stressed the need for both military action and non-kinetic measures, recalling how former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s carrot-and-stick approach helped resolve unrest in the Niger Delta.

“In the 1960s, 70s and 80s, northern Nigeria powered the country’s economy. Agriculture, industry and trade flourished. Our groundnut pyramids touched the skies, while cotton, livestock and solid minerals sustained industries,” Jiddere said.

“Today, insecurity and under-investment threaten our legacy. How can the youths of northern Nigeria inherit uncertainty when their land holds enough to build a future? This summit is about turning that paradox into opportunity and ensuring that northern Nigeria steps confidently into a new era of growth.”

He acknowledged ongoing military efforts but called for intensified action to ensure lasting peace.

The region remains plagued by bandits and armed groups. Last week, gunmen killed one man and abducted 18 women and children in Birnin Zarma village, Zamfara State. In neighbouring Gummi District, several villagers fleeing attacks drowned after their boat capsized.

Similarly, gunmen ambushed and killed at least 11 security personnel in north-central Nigeria, where farmer-herder conflicts have escalated into widespread violence. The Middle Belt, including Benue and Plateau states, has suffered recurring deadly clashes for years.