Northern elites, on Wednesday, converged on Kaduna at the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting to discusses pressing issues concerning the region and the country at large.

This is just as the BOT Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse, raised serious concerns over the deteriorating security situation and rising hostility against Northerners in other parts of the country, calling for unity and decisive action to safeguard the region.

The meeting had In attendance three former governors including Ramalan Yero, Ahmed Makarfi, and Ibrahim Shekarau, as well as a former Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, former Minister and Governor Simon Lalong, former Army Spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and the former political adviser to the Vice President, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

In his opening remarks, the chairman noted that insecurity in the North has worsened despite efforts by security agencies and lamented the persistent killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and other states.

He expressed outrage over increasing attacks and discrimination against Northerners residing or travelling through Southern Nigeria, describing the trend as unacceptable and a betrayal of the North’s age long hospitality.

Dalhatu particularly decried the inability of Northerners to own property in the South, especially in the South East.

“The time has come for Northern authorities to reform land ownership systems to protect the interests of our people and prevent landlessness in the North.

“While we remain extremely grateful for the work done by these eminent members, we regret to observe that the situation, particularly that of insecurity in Northern Nigeria, has not improved; as a matter of fact, and despite the best efforts of our increasingly overstretched security forces, it has gotten worse and keeps deteriorating by the day.

“Senseless killings have persisted in parts of Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, and other parts of the North. In spite of this, we wish to assure all the people of the North of our determination to take all necessary measures in consultation and collaboration with our political, traditional, religious and other leaders to bring this crisis to an end in the shortest time possible.”

He condemned the growing hostility and attacks against Northerners that choose to live or pursue livelihoods in the southern states, adding, “Even innocent Northerners on journeys through southern states get killed or subjected to inhumane treatment, a tragedy which, unfortunately, successive administrations in this country have failed to stop.”

He called on governors and legislators in the Northern states to carry through a comprehensive reform of the system of land ownership and control saying, “The need for this reform is self-evident, especially given the current mad scramble for land in the North by foreigners. Authorities in the North must ensure that Northerners do not become landless in their own territory.”

On the issue of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), he demanded justice and restitution for the indigenous people displaced during the creation of Abuja, calling for the creation of a new state for them within the Nigerian federation.

He condemned the premature political scheming ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that the North is watching closely and will only support leaders who prioritise its interests. (Daily Trust)