• After 63 dead in Borno massacre, bandits kill eight in Kaduna village raid
• Senators condemn tragedy, demand stronger defence against insurgents
• Atiku denounces fresh attacks in Borno, calls for unity against terror
• Obi faults federal control, urges decentralised security system
Northern Nigeria’s worsening insecurity has triggered urgent calls for a state of emergency, with leaders demanding the sack of Service Chiefs, a cabinet reshuffle, and tougher action as Boko Haram massacres, bandit raids, and mass abductions plunge citizens into fear and mourning.
The calls followed Friday night’s Boko Haram assault on the Darajamal community in Bama Local Council, which left 58 civilians and five soldiers dead.
Rising from an emergency meeting at the weekend, the Northern Ethnic Nationality Forum (NENF) urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the region, sack the Service Chiefs, and appoint “new, fresh, and innovative military leaders” with a clear mandate and timeline for measurable results.
NENF is a coalition of leaders from the diverse ethnic nationalities of northern Nigeria dedicated to promoting unity and advocating for good governance.
In a statement, Convener, Dr Dominic Alancha, described the security situation as a “full-blown catastrophe,” with communities ravaged by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements. He noted that kidnappings for ransom had become a thriving industry, farmers could no longer access their fields, and major highways had turned into “death traps.”
The group said the Service Chiefs had failed to conceive or execute effective strategies despite huge budgetary allocations. “Their tenure has been marked by an alarming increase in audacious attacks and a palpable sense of despair among our people. The security architecture has proven to be ineffective and we are therefore requesting for a fundamental overhaul of the entire nation’s Security Chiefs,” it stated.
NENF stressed that its call was not for militarisation but for a “targeted, multi-agency, and resource-intensive emergency operation to flush out terrorists, dismantle their networks, and restore permanent order.”
While applauding President Tinubu for his political and economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and efforts to harmonise foreign exchange rates, the group observed that implementation had caused widespread hardship. It therefore urged the President to consolidate the reforms with an immediate cabinet reshuffle to inject “competence and political capital.”
According to NENF, many ministers had failed to deliver tangible results, connect with the grassroots, or build the political goodwill needed to solidify the administration’s standing. “As we look ahead to the 2027 electoral mandate, it is evident that the current composition of the cabinet lacks the strategic competence and political force needed to secure victory for Mr President and sustain the nation’s overall national development plans,” it said.
The group added: “We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately initiate a comprehensive dissolution and reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council. We urge the President to replace underperforming ministers with individuals of proven integrity, exceptional capability, and significant political influence in their respective states and regions. Nigeria needs a cabinet of doers, thinkers, and political strategists, not a cabinet of spectators.”
Declaring that its demands were driven by patriotism rather than malice, NENF warned that the survival and prosperity of Nigeria, especially the North, hang in the balance. “We supported the President’s ambition and we desire to support him again in 2027, but that support is contingent on effective, empathetic, and decisive governance. The time for action is now,” the statement added.
MEANWHILE, Wake village in Kachia Local Council of Kaduna State was thrown into mourning yesterday after armed bandits launched a brutal early morning raid that left eight people dead and at least 20 others severely injured.
The attackers, who stormed the community in Southern Kaduna in large numbers, also abducted an unspecified number of residents and whisked them away to an unknown destination.
The Kaduna Police Command said it had mobilised officers to investigate the attack. Police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for comment at the time of press. However, a senior officer at the State Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.
“We have already launched investigation into the unfortunate incident in Kachia and we will keep journalists informed,” the source said. “Please, for now we are investigating the attack by the bandits and security forces will ensure that peace and order prevails in the area, as investigation into the unfortunate incident is on.”
As of the time of filing this report, the community was conducting burials for the deceased while efforts were being made to care for the injured. The number of those abducted could not be confirmed.
An official statement from the Kaduna State Government and the Police Command is still being awaited. Zulum visits Borno community after B’Haram killings, consoles victims’ families
BORNO State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday visited the Darajamal community to commiserate with the families of the victims, most of them displaced persons who had been resettled in the community just two months ago.
Visibly shaken, Zulum met with community leaders and consoled bereaved families. He condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as “very sad and unfortunate.”
“We are here to commiserate with the people of Darajamal over what happened last night that claimed many lives. This community was resettled only a few months ago, and they were going about their normal activities, but unfortunately, Boko Haram struck again. Our visit is to console them and help build their resilience,” the governor said.
Confirming the scale of casualties, he disclosed: “So far, 63 people lost their lives — close to 60 civilians and five soldiers.” While acknowledging the overstretched capacity of the military, Zulum called for the immediate deployment of newly trained Forest Guards to protect vulnerable communities.
“We have to admit the numerical strength of the military is not enough to cover everywhere. Two batches of Forest Guards have been trained, so one immediate solution is to deploy them to vulnerable locations to protect both the forests and the communities,” he added.
Borno senators condemn killings, demand stronger community defence against insurgents
ALSO, senators representing Borno Central and Borno South condemned the attack. Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central described the killings as a crime against humanity and pledged legislative backing for Governor Zulum’s efforts to restore peace in the state.
Sources disclosed that, in addition to the deaths, scores of residents were abducted, with their whereabouts still unknown as of press time. For his part, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume of Borno South lamented the surge in attacks across the state. He criticised the limited capacity of the Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes, who he said could not effectively complement the military “using dane guns and sticks.”
In a statement yesterday, Ndume called for the deployment of technology, arms, ammunition, and other equipment, alongside improved motivation for security personnel in the fight against insurgency.
“In the past few months, several communities in Borno South, North and Central Senatorial Districts remained under siege by Boko Haram/ISWAP. The situation is worrisome,” he said.
He further advocated for the establishment of an armed community defence to work alongside the military. “Men of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters and vigilantes have been doing their best, but they have limitations, as they only carry dane guns, sticks, which they find very difficult to confront the terrorists,” he added.
Atiku denounces fresh attacks in Borno, calls for unity against terror
FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar condemned the Borno State tragedy, urging a concerted national effort to confront the menace of insecurity.
Atiku described the killings as “senseless violence” and “a painful reminder of the heavy price our people continue to pay in the face of terror.”
In a condolence message posted on his social media pages, he said he was deeply saddened by the tragic killing of scores of people, including soldiers, in the recent attack on Darajamal, Borno State.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved families, the resilient people of Borno, and Governor Zulum, whose swift compassion in visiting the affected community is commendable. May Almighty Allah grant the departed Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort their loved ones,” he wrote.
Atiku emphasised that the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians must inspire “stronger community security, deeper collaboration, and unwavering commitment to peace.” He called on Nigerians to rise together in unity and renewed resolve to confront terrorism across the country.
Obi faults federal control, calls for decentralised security system
FORMER presidential candidate Peter Obi criticised Nigeria’s security system, warning that citizens’ lives will remain in danger until governors are empowered to take decisive action against rising insecurity.
His reaction followed Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal’s recent admission that he knew the hideouts of bandit leaders but could not act without federal clearance. Obi described the situation as “a stark reflection of the systemic weakness of our security architecture.”
“What kind of country are we running,” Obi asked, “where a federating unit lacks the coordination and support of the centre in the most critical role of governance — the protection of life and property? When the Chief Security Officer of a state is reduced to a mere spectator, citizens are left at the mercy of criminals.”
Reiterating his long-standing call for a restructured, decentralised and more responsive security framework, Obi urged the Federal Government to grant governors direct authority and resources to secure their states.
“The Federal Government must, as a matter of urgency, give Governor Dauda and other governors across the federation all the support they need to safeguard the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Obi concluded with a reminder of his campaign message: “The safety and security of our citizens must become our highest priority. A new Nigeria is POssible.”
UN condemns killing of 63 civilians in Borno attack
THE United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, strongly condemned the killing of 63 civilians in Borno State. In a statement issued yesterday in Maiduguri, Fall said: “I am deeply appalled and saddened by Friday’s reported killing of over five dozens of civilians in Darajamal village, a border community with Cameroon.”
He stressed that innocent civilians should never be targets of armed non-state actors in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast. “Preliminary reports indicated that over 50 residents were killed when suspected members of a non-state armed group attacked the border community on the evening of September 5, 2025,” he said.
Fall added: “An unknown number of people were also allegedly abducted with others fleeing with sustained injuries.” He further revealed that no fewer than 28 houses were reportedly torched during the attack. He warned that the casualty figure was expected to rise as more information becomes available.
On behalf of the UN, Fall conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of the state. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery.
Beyond condolences, he urged security authorities to apprehend the perpetrators of what he described as a heinous attack and ensure the immediate release of those abducted.
Fall noted that the incident was yet another grim reminder of the toll of rising violent attacks and insecurity in Borno this year. “In Borno alone, there were multiple attacks against civilians that led to the deaths of hundreds of residents,” he said, citing the use of improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and other tactics against vulnerable communities, internally displaced persons camps, farmers, fishermen, commuters, and traders in the Lake Chad region.
HURIWA condemns killings in Borno, Katsina, Edo, urges decisive action against terrorists
THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) decried the spate of deadly attacks carried out over the weekend by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), bandits and kidnappers in Borno, Katsina and Edo States, which claimed no fewer than 131 lives.
National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, lamented the Borno slaughter, describing it as a renewed tragedy for people who had only recently returned home after years of displacement.
The group also commended residents of Shagari and Bimasa communities in Sokoto State, who on Thursday launched counterattacks against bandits, rescuing kidnapped relatives and reportedly killing at least 15 of the attackers. HURIWA further praised the intervention of security agencies, noting that recent changes in operational strategies had improved response times to attacks.
On the killings of eight security operatives in Edo State, the group expressed outrage, condemning the attack in which suspected kidnappers ambushed a convoy of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel escorting Chinese expatriates working for BUA Cement. The assailants later abducted some of the expatriates.
HURIWA urged the National Security Adviser to ensure such incidents never recur and stressed the need for greater coordination among security agencies. It observed that there were encouraging signs of increased collaboration between the armed forces and the Department of State Services, but insisted that terrorists must be decisively defeated.
The group further called for citizens’ support in the fight against terrorism, stressing that the war has dragged on for over a decade and must be brought to a swift conclusion.
Suspected bandits patronise markets as deserted Katsina community reoccupied
IN a related development, several suspected bandits, previously known for killing and abducting residents for ransom, have begun patronising public markets in Jibia Local Council of Katsina State.
At the same time, residents of Karare village, a community deserted for years due to insecurity, have started returning to their homes and cultivating their farmlands.
A visit to the council at the weekend revealed that dozens of suspected bandits were seen at both the Magama and Jibia public markets. Sources also noted similar developments in smaller rural markets within the council area.
The development was attributed to improved security–community relations and a peace deal reportedly brokered between residents and representatives of the bandits.
A resident, Abubakar Mohammed, explained that under the agreement, “bandits cannot come to the markets with their rifles, but were allowed to come with their machetes and walking sticks.” He added that the bandits were free to come and go as they wished as long as the peace deal remained in force, with security operatives present to ensure compliance.
Residents said the arrangement had boosted socio-economic activities, particularly farming and trade. A commercial driver, Ahmed Abunduniya, disclosed that “movement of vehicular passengers in the council had increased by as much as 85 per cent.” He also noted that “weekly market activities in the council had increased by almost 90 per cent when compared to period when insecurity was prevalent.”
Furthermore, several communities deserted due to insecurity have begun to be reoccupied, including Karare village, located along the Katsina–Jibia road. The community, once abandoned after repeated attacks, is now witnessing a return of its residents, who are gradually resuming farming and rebuilding their lives.
