The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) declared yesterday that Nigeria’s worsening security situation has escalated to what it described as a “state of war,” urging the federal government to urgently adopt extraordinary measures to address the crisis.
ACF’s alarm came on a day six soldiers and a woman were killed in a fresh Boko Haram attack on a military formation at Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. This is even as a United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, and a coalition of international diplomats also yesterday called on President Bola Tinubu to review the country’s defence leadership, following a series of deadly attacks on Christian communities during the 2026 Easter celebration.
Rising from the 38th meeting of its Board in Abuja, the ACF in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, presided over by Chairman of the Board, Bashir Dalhatu, said Nigeria’s security challenges had gone beyond insurgency, banditry and communal clashes to a full scale war, threatening its survival. Other prominent northern leaders at the meeting included former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed; ex-Inspector General of Police, Mohammed D. Abubakar; former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusufu Buratai; and former President of the UN General Assembly, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, among others.
“The scale, persistence and human cost of violence demand a fundamental shift in national priorities,” the ACF said, stressing that the situation must now be treated as an overriding national emergency. It lamented that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians had been killed or displaced across states such as Borno, Plateau, Niger and Kwara, noting that the casualties also included members of the armed forces.
According to the ACF, the humanitarian toll of the crisis has left families shattered, livelihoods destroyed and communities traumatised, while the nation’s economy continued to suffer severe setbacks. It further warned that insecurity was crippling agricultural activities, particularly in northern Nigeria, disrupting supply chains and worsening inflation.
“Redirecting national resources toward security is not a diversion from economic development; it is a prerequisite for it,” the communique stated. The forum called on the federal government to adopt what it described as a “war time approach,” including the temporary suspension or scaling down of non essential projects in order to concentrate resources on tackling insecurity.
It stressed that while development remained important, restoring security must take precedence. “Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The escalating security crisis threatens not just lives, but the very stability and future of the nation,” the ACF warned. The group noted that until Nigerians can live, work and travel without fear, meaningful national progress will remain unattainable, urging decisive and comprehensive action to secure the country without further delay.
While the ACF was rounding off its meeting in Abuja, Boko Haram insurgents again infiltrated a military formation at Mussa village, Borno State, killing six soldiers and a woman. The attack was said to have taken place at about noon yesterday. Sources said scores of the terrorists were also neutralised in the encounter.
The senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, who confirmed the attack, pleaded with the federal government to fully equip the military, police and other security agencies with sophisticated weapons to end Boko Haram atrocities. Ndume commiserated with the victims’ families and said: “Our Nigerian Armed Forces are doing their best in fighting Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, but they are handicapped in terms of weapons. There is urgent need for the federal government to train, equip, arm and motivate the military forces. Our military and other security agencies should have access to Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, fighter jets and drones if really we want to end Boko Haram madness.” He, however, commended the military and other security agencies, including members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters vigilantes, for their unwavering sacrifices.
In a related development, troops of the Nigerian Army, under Operation Hadin Kai, Tuesday night repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists on Benisheikh in Borno State, preventing a possible overrun of the area. Sources said the incident occurred at about 2315 hours on April 14, 2026. Troops of Headquarters 29 Task Force Brigade came under attack but successfully contained the assault and forced the terrorists to withdraw in disarray. No soldier was killed, while three personnel sustained injuries. The injured soldiers were evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital. The military said the number of terrorist casualties could not be immediately confirmed, adding that exploitation of the general area was ongoing.
Meanwhile, US lawmaker Kimberly Daniels, acting in her capacity as Chairwoman of the Supreme Council of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN WCD), released a formal security assessment report on Monday urging the federal government to take decisive action in response to violence that left dozens of Christians dead in Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa states during Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services. Daniels and fellow Florida lawmaker Representative Plakon co sponsored House Resolution 761, which condemned the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supports redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. The resolution passed with 100% bipartisan support in the Florida House during the 2026 session.
The report, compiled on behalf of UN WCD members across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Nigeria and Ghana, raised concerns about the current configuration of Nigeria’s security leadership and called specifically for a review of the job specifications of Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. The assessment cited “red flags” relating to allegations by the Zamfara State government and terror kingpin Bello Turji against the minister. The UN WCD recommended that President Tinubu carry out an immediate leadership review, conduct a transparent investigation into the allegations raised, and implement stronger security measures for vulnerable communities in Nigeria’s North Central and Northwestern regions.
Daniels also called on the United States government and international partners to increase diplomatic pressure to ensure accountability. According to her, her press statement and accompanying assessment report have been forwarded to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for further action. Daniels said: “The position I take on this issue is because of citizens reaching out to me from Nigeria. My connection to Nigeria as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Chairwoman of UN WCD would not allow me to be silent. My brothers and sisters in Nigeria are martyred because they gather to worship Jesus. Publishing this press release is the least thing I can do.” The report noted that despite condemnation from President Tinubu following the attacks, local leaders and survivors report a growing disconnection between government rhetoric and the reality of safety on the ground.
