Bandit Attacks: Group Seeks Convocation Of Northern Leaders Summit

Following Tuesday’s wanton destruction of life and property in Nuku and Woro communities in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State, the Arewa Discussion Group (ADG) has called for the convening of a summit of northern political, traditional and religious leaders to forge a concrete regional security pact.

The group said that the summit’s goal would be to ensure the north speaks with a singular, powerful voice to secure the region.

“A situation where northern states operate in silos in the face of such horrifying experiences should no longer be tolerated,” the group said in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr Garba Abari.

It called on all elected and appointed officials whose primary mandate is the security and welfare of the people to either deliver on this mandate or honourably step aside.

“ Failure is not an option. Where there is a consistent inability to protect the people, resignation is the honourable course to allow for fresh ideas and competent hands to pursue a lasting solution.

“The people of northern Nigeria and indeed all Nigerians deserve peace and security. The Arewa Discussion Group stands in solidarity with all affected communities and will continue to advocate tirelessly for a return to normalcy, safety, and prosperity in our region,” it added.

The group condemned in the strongest terms the alarming resurgence and intensification of bandit terror across many states in the north, adding that :” We are horrified by the recent wave of attacks and abductions plaguing communities in Kwara, Katsina, Kaduna, and other parts of the region.

“Particular reference is made to the devastating attack on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama local government area, Kwara State, where reports indicate over forty(40) lives were tragically lost, and several houses and sundry property burnt. We also note with grave concern the continuing incidents in areas like Faskari in Katsina and Kajuru in Kaduna States.

“ It is especially shameful and a monumental failure that local governments and communities, which recently entered into a truce with these criminal elements having been failed by the state are witnessing such brazen attacks. This so-called truce has been exposed as a farce, a naive concession to anarchy that has only emboldened the perpetrators. This approach is not a solution; it is an abdication of responsibility.

“ The ADG believes the time for mere condemnation is long past. While we unequivocally condemn these acts of madness, we must now be as creative and decisive as possible in ending this scourge. We must move beyond rhetoric to concrete, effective, and sustainable action.

“Therefore, the ADG reiterates the urgent call made in our previous statements on the subject where we suggested immediate and total overhaul of the security strategy in the region. We insist on the deployment of a more robust, proactive, and intelligence-driven security response, moving beyond the current fragmented and piecemeal approaches that have proven inadequate, greater collaboration and support for community-based vigilante groups within the framework of the law, and rebuilding trust to isolate criminal elements.”