Kidnapping crisis: Governors convene emergency session, school lockdowns rise

In light of the increasing security crisis in the region, the 19 governors from the North have convened an emergency meeting scheduled for November 29, 2025, to take place in Kaduna State.

This upcoming meeting follows a discussion held by the South-West governors at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan on Monday.

During their meeting, the South-West governors concluded that it is imperative to establish state police to tackle the escalating incidents of banditry.

Peter Ahemba, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, confirmed the Northern governors' meeting to our correspondent in Lafia, the state capital, on Monday, amid rising concerns regarding the closure of schools by the authorities.

Ahemba elaborated that the meeting of the northern governors will focus on actionable measures to combat the increasing threats of kidnapping, banditry, and other security challenges in the region.

Recently, the Northern region has experienced a surge in attacks on educational institutions, leading several state governments to temporarily shut down schools.

Last week, armed assailants invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and resulting in the death of the vice principal.

A few days later, gunmen targeted St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, where they took over 300 students and staff hostage, although 50 students managed to escape.

In his remarks, the governor’s aide stated, “The Northern Governors have scheduled a meeting in Kaduna on November 29 to address the escalating insecurity in various regions of the country, particularly in the northern areas.

“So, the meeting is expected to deliberate on concrete steps that could be taken to address the rising wave of kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of security threats in some parts of the country.

“For Nasarawa State, His Excellency, the Governor, who happens to be the Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, had to cut short his trip from the G20 Summit that is going on in South Africa, to come back immediately and attend to the security challenges in some states of the northern part of the country.’’

He added, “In line with that, His Excellency had to convene yet another emergency security meeting this afternoon, being Monday, the 24th of November 2025. So, the meeting deliberated on how to prevent the escalation of insecurity, the banditry activities that are being witnessed in some parts of the country, to strengthen surveillance measures and also enhance the support to security agencies to effectively tackle any eventual situation that may occur.

“So far so good, these are the efforts being made by both the Northern Governors Forum and Nasarawa State as a government.”

Responding to a question on what was being done to address insecurity in the state, Ahemba stated, “I can assure you that every necessary measure is being put in place. The government is on a red alert. The security agencies are on red alert because of what is happening within the neighbourhood. So, the government is not resting, and I can assure you that the security agencies are well equipped to respond.’’

Following their meeting aimed at enhancing security in the region, the governors of the South-West urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to secure the forests throughout the area, as well as the extensive forest belts that have become sanctuaries for criminal elements.

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti) were present at the meeting, while Ademola Adeleke of Osun state was represented by his deputy.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu indicated that the forum assessed the current security situation in the region and reiterated its support for the creation of state police, stressing that "The time is now and it can no longer be delayed."

The governors also urged all residents of the South-West to remain united and dedicated to maintaining the peace in the region, asserting that "We remain one, indivisible entity that will continue to enjoy and protect the religious tolerance for which we have always been recognized."

“The forum commends President Bola Tinubu on the fight against insecurity and various economic reforms and other developmental agenda. The forum expresses solidarity with the Federal Government in its efforts in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States after the recent spate of kidnappings, at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, the Catholic institution of St. Mary’s in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger and the CAC Church at Eruku, Kwara State.

“The forum applauds the swift response of the Federal Government towards the rescue of the Kwara abductees and more than 51 students of the Catholic School, Niger State. The forum reviewed the current state of security in our region and took some decisions to ensure the security of the lives and property of our people.

‘’South West Regional Security Fund: The forum agreed to set up a South West Security Fund under DAWN Commission to be administered by the Forum of Special Advisers on Security of all South West States.

“Joint Security Intelligence Sharing and Communication Platform: The forum resolves to establish a live, digital intelligence-sharing platform among all six South West states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti). This platform will exchange threat notifications, incident logs, traveller and cargo alerts and coordinate state-to-state rapid response.”

On forest surveillance, the governors commended the efforts of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Hunters, Amotekun Corps members and all the other security agencies.

“The Forum calls on the Federal Government to note the urgent need for enhanced forest surveillance across the South West States and calls for the Federal Government to secure the vast forest belts that have become hideouts for criminal elements.

“To this end, the forum agrees that the Federal Government should help deploy Forest Guards across the South West states, with each State Government responsible for providing the required personnel.”

The governors reaffirmed their collective commitment to reclaiming the forests and ensuring that the spaces no longer serve as safe corridors for banditry, kidnapping, or any form of criminal activity.

They said, “On interstate migration, the forum expresses deep concern about the unregulated interstate migration that continues to pose significant challenges across the South-West. The forum calls for stricter border monitoring, data collection and self-identification and for each South West State to work with the National Identity Management Commission for proper identification.

“The Forum agrees to intensify security collaboration to ensure that interstate migration does not become a conduit for insecurity. Illegal Mining Activities: The forum expresses deep concern over the escalating illegal mining activities across the South-West States, which continue to threaten environmental safety, public health and regional security: The forum calls for a comprehensive and enforceable licensing framework, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and strict enforcement actions against violators who may perpetrate violent crimes under the guise of mining.”

“On agriculture, food security and climate resilience, the forum acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government in providing food sufficiency and, in particular, commends the various farmers in the region for the increase in agricultural output and subsequent stability and reduction in food prices.”

Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang is set to unveil a comprehensive plan to tackle insecurity in the state, according to his Special Adviser on Policy and Governance, Yiljap Abraham.

The development comes amid escalating security challenges in the state, which had compelled the government to shut down basic schools to prevent attacks by terrorist elements.

Abraham, who spoke in Jos on Monday night, revealed that the governor has been engaging with security chiefs to address the security situation in the state, but he didn’t provide a specific timeline for the announcement.

“We must await him for that. We were expecting that it would come up today, but some other issues demanded his attention,” Abraham said.

However, he assured that Plateau is working closely with other states and the Federal Government to address the security challenges.

“Plateau State is not working in isolation. It is working with other states and will continue to work hand in hand, especially with the federal government, to address the security challenge facing the state,” Abraham emphasised.

In a bid to address the security situation in the state, the Kebbi State Government said it has held a series of security summits to strengthen security.

The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Ahmed Idris, noted, “We held a security summit where all the traditional rulers from the Northern region converged here for about three days.

“We also hosted one a few weeks ago when Northern broadcasters spent about three days here discussing security issues.’’

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Go