Arewa Consultative Forum Warns of "Slide Into Anarchy" Following Deadly Surge in Northern Attacks

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) demands a security overhaul as Nigeria faces a surge in attacks in Borno and Plateau. Learn more about the call for urgent action.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 4:30 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Nation Newspaper

Urgent Call for Security Reform Amid Growing Violence

The Arewa Consultative Forum, or ACF, has formally condemned the escalating wave of terrorist activity across Northern Nigeria, describing the current situation as a grave threat to national sovereignty. In a statement released on Wednesday by National Publicity Secretary Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum expressed deep alarm over the persistent loss of life and property. The ACF warned that the country is at a tipping point and could face a total breakdown of order if the federal government does not implement a drastic change in its defensive posture. The forum's rhetoric underscores a growing sense of frustration among northern leaders who believe that current efforts to contain insurgency have reached a point of diminishing returns.

Tragedy in Maiduguri and Targeted Military Assaults

The ACF specifically highlighted the recent bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, as a "tragic and disturbing" example of the deteriorating security climate. This urban attack followed closely on the heels of several sophisticated assaults on military formations within the state, which resulted in significant casualties among personnel and the destruction of high-value defense assets. By targeting both civilians in the city and soldiers in the field, insurgents appear to be executing a dual-pronged strategy intended to demoralize the population and degrade the state’s tactical capacity. The ACF noted that the brazen nature of these attacks suggests the perpetrators no longer fear the immediate repercussions of state intervention.

Widespread Instability Across Northern Corridors

Beyond Borno, the forum pointed to a disturbing pattern of violence that has re-emerged in Plateau State and various communities in Katsina, Kwara, Niger, and Zamfara. This geographic spread indicates that the security challenge is not localized to a single front but is a systemic issue affecting the entire northern region. The resulting displacement and disruption of livelihoods have exacerbated social instability, leaving many communities in a state of perpetual fear. The ACF argued that these coordinated efforts by bandits and insurgents are designed to systematically undermine normal life and economic activity across the federation’s northern half.