Act beyond rhetoric, north is bleeding …ACI tells FG on international peace day
By Hussaina Yakubu
September 21, 2025
The Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative (ACI) has called on the Federal Government to move beyond empty rhetoric and take decisive action to end the growing insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking during a press briefing to mark the 2025 International Day of Peace, held under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World,”
The Director General of ACI, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, decried the persistent violence and insecurity plaguing states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, and Benue.
“The killings, kidnappings, and destruction of livelihoods must no longer be met with empty statements. Protecting lives and fostering peaceful coexistence must become the nation’s most urgent priority,” Dr. Idris said.
He expressed concern that while many communities in the North remain under siege by armed groups, the nation’s elite appear more focused on extravagant social events than on convening urgent, solution driven engagements to address the deteriorating security situation.
Dr. Idris accused security agencies of failing to act decisively on intelligence, leaving state governors “handicapped” and citizens “abandoned.”
“Our region continues to bleed from avoidable conflicts, banditry, terrorism, farmer herder clashes, kidnappings, and violent political rivalries that have robbed us of peace, prosperity, and hope,” he added.
He also warned that unless there is a shift in societal values from glorifying wealth and spectacle to rewarding integrity and selfless leadership the North risks remaining in a “vicious cycle of misplaced priorities and underdevelopment.”
While acknowledging the “modest efforts” being made by the government and security forces, the ACI maintained that such steps remain insufficient in the face of widespread and persistent violence.
ACI used the occasion to issue a direct call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and northern state governors, urging them to demonstrate “real leadership” and avoid selective engagement.
“Visit the victims, comfort the bereaved, empower security agencies to act on credible intelligence. History will not forgive inaction when action was most needed,” the group stated.
ACI also reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots peacebuilding, public enlightenment, and advocacy for good governance across the region.
“Peace is not a luxury; it is a necessity for survival and progress,” Dr. Idris emphasized.
The group concluded its statement with a powerful three part appeal
“Act now for a Peaceful North. Act now for a Peaceful Nigeria. Act now for a Peaceful World.”(NAN)