Abuja: The Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security in Northern Nigeria, outlining the need for a well-defined tactical and strategic plan with a clear timeline. Alhaji Abdullahi Yelwa, the chairman of ABMPF, made this appeal during a news conference, emphasizing the necessity for citizens to take an active role in their own defense.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Yelwa highlighted the forum’s deep sense of patriotism and concern for the people of Northern Nigeria. He described ABMPF as the leading broadcast voice in the region, consisting of over 150 NBC-licensed radio and television stations. Yelwa commended the courage of the Nigerian armed forces and intelligence officers who work tirelessly to protect citizens.
Yelwa pointed to recent events, such as the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State and the tragic death of retired Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Rabe, as incidents that have brought the issue of insecurity to the forefront since the start of 2026. Media practitioners in the North, Yelwa noted, have frequently been firsthand witnesses to the violence, often serving as initial responders when attacks occur.
He stressed the dire situation in the region, with communities fleeing to rivers and forests, and the resulting squalor in IDP camps. In November 2025, during a security summit in Kebbi State, ABMPF expressed its alarm over the escalating insecurity, which has reached new heights in 2026 with attacks in multiple states including Borno, Yobe, Plateau, and others.
Yelwa criticized the failure of existing interventions to curb banditry and terrorism, urging Northern leaders to pinpoint the roots of insecurity and identify informants aiding these criminal activities. He called for the decentralization of defense strategies, proposing that community-based defense mechanisms be established to address the culture of victimhood prevalent in the region.
Responding to inquiries about armament, Yelwa suggested that even basic weapons like dane guns be considered for community defense to allow quicker responses to attacks. He highlighted the delay in military response as a significant weakness, noting that by the time governors respond, the damage by bandits is often done.
Yelwa also supported the establishment of state police and forest guards as interim solutions but stressed that a large deployment of conventional forces is essential to eradicate criminals from their forest hideouts. He portrayed the North as a crucial national buffer zone, emphasizing the importance of addressing threats from the Sahel.
In addition, Yelwa addressed the economic impact of insecurity, noting significant drops in crop yields and industrial collapse, and the high percentage of out-of-school children in the North. He assured that ABMPF stands ready to collaborate with governments to tackle these challenges and urged voters to reject divisive leaders.
Shu’aibu Mungadi, Chairman of Optimal Image Media Limited, echoed these sentiments, urging the Federal Government to regulate mining activities in the North to curb illegal exploitation of the region’s mineral resources.