Northern Governors Hold Security Summit in Kaduna as Shehu Sani Calls for Urgent Action

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has described the ongoing meeting of Northern States’ governors over rising insecurity in the region as long overdue. The high-level summit, held on Monday at Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, brings together governors and traditional rulers from all 19 northern states to address the escalating threat of terrorism and banditry.

Posting on X, Sani urged the governors to adopt coordinated and practical measures to eliminate criminal activity and restore peace. He said:

"The ongoing meeting of Northern Governors in Kaduna to address the region’s recent upsurge in terrorist violence is long overdue. The terrorists and bandits unleashing mayhem in the region are majorly from the region. They should come out with coordinated, effective, and practical solutions that will annihilate the criminals and restore peace and order in the affected communities."

Hosted by Governor Uba Sani, the summit is primarily focused on addressing the worsening security situation across the North. Leaders are reviewing recent developments, sharing intelligence, and proposing long-term strategies to reduce terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry, which have disrupted lives, businesses, and local economies.

In addition to security, discussions include broader governance issues affecting regional development, such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic growth. Experts say security and development are closely linked, as persistent violence undermines social and economic stability.

The Kaduna summit follows the North-West Zonal Public Hearing of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on National Security, where northern leaders advocated a three-pillar strategy to tackle insecurity. The pillars focus on improved intelligence, community engagement, and enhanced law enforcement capabilities.

Security analysts stress the importance of a coordinated approach. Dr. Ibrahim Musa, a security expert based in Abuja, told reporters, “The North has faced repeated security challenges, and without coordinated action, efforts to curb terrorism will remain fragmented. This summit is an opportunity to unify strategies across states and involve traditional rulers, who play a key role in maintaining local peace.”

Observers view the Kaduna summit as a platform for northern leaders to take collective responsibility for curbing violence. Shehu Sani and other stakeholders emphasize that actionable solutions must replace rhetoric, noting that communities affected by terrorism and banditry cannot wait indefinitely for results.

According to the Nigerian Security Tracker, northern states account for the majority of terrorist and bandit-related incidents in recent years. Analysts note that meaningful outcomes from the summit could restore public confidence and economic activity in affected communities.

As the summit continues, residents and experts are watching closely to see if the Northern Governors’ Forum can deliver strategies that translate into lasting peace and security.