The Arewa Consultative Forum has raised alarm that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has escalated to what it described as a “state of war,” urging the federal government to urgently adopt extraordinary measures to confront the crisis.
The warning came as six soldiers and a civilian woman were killed in a fresh attack by Boko Haram on a military base in Mussa community, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
At its 38th Board of Trustees meeting in Abuja, presided over by Bashir Dalhatu, the forum said the scale, persistence, and human cost of violence across the country now resemble full-scale warfare, far beyond insurgency, banditry, or communal clashes. It warned that the situation poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s survival and must be treated as a national emergency.
The forum lamented that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been killed or displaced in states such as Borno, Plateau, Niger, and Kwara, including members of the armed forces. It noted that the humanitarian impact has devastated families, destroyed livelihoods, and left communities traumatised, while also weakening the economy.
According to the ACF, insecurity is severely disrupting farming activities, especially in northern Nigeria, affecting food supply chains and worsening inflation. It stressed that prioritising security spending is essential for economic recovery and development.
The group called for a “war-time approach,” including the suspension or reduction of non-essential government projects so that more resources can be channelled into tackling insecurity. It emphasised that restoring safety must take precedence over other developmental goals.
Meanwhile, the attack in Borno occurred around midday, with reports indicating that several insurgents were also killed during the confrontation. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume confirmed the incident and urged the government to better equip the military and other security agencies with advanced weapons, including armoured vehicles, fighter jets, and drones.
In a separate incident, troops under Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled another attack by suspected insurgents in Benisheikh, preventing the town from being overrun. Although no fatalities were recorded among soldiers, three personnel sustained injuries and were taken for medical treatment.
In addition, a United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, along with international diplomats, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to overhaul Nigeria’s defence leadership following a series of deadly attacks on Christian communities during the 2026 Easter period.
The group recommended an immediate review of the country’s security structure, a transparent investigation into allegations involving defence officials, and stronger protection for vulnerable communities, particularly in the North Central and North-West regions. They also urged increased international pressure to ensure accountability and lasting security reforms.