The 19 Northern governors have scheduled an emergency security meeting for November 29 in Kaduna following a sharp rise in kidnapping, bandit attacks, and school raids across the region. The meeting comes shortly after South-West governors held their own security session in Ibadan, where they renewed calls for the creation of state police to tackle worsening insecurity.
Confirming the planned meeting, Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Nasarawa State, said the governors will discuss concrete steps to address the growing threats. He noted that recent attacks on schools have forced several states to shut down educational institutions, creating fear among parents and communities. One of the most serious incidents occurred in Kebbi State, where gunmen abducted 24 schoolgirls and killed a vice principal during an attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga.
Another major attack took place days later in Niger State, where gunmen invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, kidnapping more than 300 students and staff, though 50 eventually escaped. Ahemba explained that Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule had to cut short his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to deal with the security situation, adding that security agencies in the state have been placed on high alert to prevent similar attacks.
While the North prepares for its meeting, South-West governors have taken their own steps to strengthen regional security. After their meeting in Ibadan, the governors urged the Federal Government to secure the vast forests that have become hiding places for criminal groups. They also backed the urgent creation of state police and announced a regional security fund, a digital intelligence-sharing platform, and stronger border monitoring to curb unregulated interstate movement.
The South-West governors also expressed concern about illegal mining, which they say has become a threat to safety and stability in the region. They commended ongoing rescue efforts in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger and pledged continued support for President Bola Tinubu’s fight against insecurity. Both regions now appear set to intensify coordination and take firmer steps to protect lives and restore public confidence amid rising security threats across the country.