“Declare State of Emergency in North,” Northern Elders Tell Tinubu, Give Reason
- The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has cried out to President Bola Tinubu following deadly attacks rocking the region in recent times
- The NEF urged President Tinubu to declare an emergency in the region for their safety and issued a warning
- NEF outlined its demands weeks after bandits attack in Zamfara and Katsina states, claimed over 140 lives
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Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in northern Nigeria.
Source: Facebook
Attack claims over 140 lives, NEF lament
NEF, on Wednesday, September 3, cited the scale of insecurity and the government’s constitutional and international obligations to protect lives.
As reported by The Nation, the forum lamented that state security agencies remain overstretched, under-resourced, and in some cases complicit through inaction, leaving citizens vulnerable while eroding public trust in government.
In a communiqué signed on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the forum expressed grave concern over the spate of violent attacks, abductions and killings across the region, warning that continued inaction could threaten Nigeria’s stability and regional peace.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed deep outrage over the recent massacre in Malumfashi, Katsina state.
Source: Facebook
The party criticised Tinubu's handling of rising security concerns after 30 worshippers were shot dead inside a mosque, while 20 villagers were burnt alive in their homes.
The ADC linked the incident to a broader pattern of violence in the region, citing the killing of 47 individuals in Zamfara state, 38 of whom were reportedly executed despite ransom payments being made.
Declare state of emergency to save us - NEF
Reacting, NEF cited the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and stated:
“The recurring atrocities in Northern Nigeria constitute serious breaches of these obligations, and in their scale and persistence, will amount to crimes against humanity under international law and humanitarian cases.”
The forum, urged the federal government to:
“Declare a state of emergency in Northern Nigeria, acknowledging the extraordinary scale of the crisis. Deploy adequately trained, armed, and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civilian populations and secure international border regions.”
Analyst backs emergency call in Katsina, Zamfara
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Dare Glintstone Akinniyi, spokesperson for the New Democratic Frontiers (NDF), expressed concern over deadly attacks rocking Nigerian states, prompting the call for a state of emergency.
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Akinniyi, discussed why President Tinubu should heed the call for an emergency in two northern states, and the approach his administration should explore.
Read related articles here:
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- Zamfara governor told to immediately resign
- Kaduna governor Uba Sani finally reacts to paying money to bandits
Zamfara: Women protest over bandit attacks
Legit.ng earlier reported that hundreds of protesters, predominantly elderly women and nursing mothers from Jimrawa village in Kaura Namoda local government area of Zamfara state, staged a peaceful demonstration in Gusau, the state capital, demanding urgent government action over escalating insecurity.
The protest, which took place at the Zamfara Government House, followed a similar demonstration two weeks earlier by residents of Gusau LGA.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
