Northern governors postpone security meeting as north-west bloc convenes parallel forum

A meeting of the 19 northern state governors has been postponed due to a separate security engagement involving governors of the seven north-west states.

The proposed meeting, convened by the Northern Governors Forum, was scheduled to take place in Kaduna state on November 29.

The gathering was intended to review the resurgence of terrorist attacks that have swept through parts of the region.

Communities in Niger, Kebbi and Kwara have faced renewed onslaughts in recent weeks, with rising cases of abductions amplifying public anxiety.

TheCable understands that north-west governors are holding a security session with the senate committee, with the discussion centred on persistent threats confronting the zone.

The deliberation is aimed at improving coordination between state governments and federal security agencies, enhancing intelligence sharing, and accelerating field responses to banditry and terrorism.

The postponement comes days after the 19 northern governors announced plans to meet to deliberate on the escalating insecurity.

Peter Ahemba, senior special assistant on public affairs to Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, had said the meeting was designed to chart a collective security strategy and agree on a harmonised plan of action.

Ahemba added that leading traditional rulers were invited to join the session.

“The meeting aims to develop a unified approach to tackling security concerns affecting the region and discuss the way forward on security matters,” he said.

“It is the duty of citizens to help deal with security threats in our country and state.

“Therefore, citizens must do well by providing security agencies with relevant information about individuals with criminal tendencies.”

The northern region has witnessed a rise in kidnappings and killings in recent weeks, including two high-profile attacks involving schoolchildren.

While rescue missions by security agencies have intensified, some abductees have been released, although several remain in captivity.