In response to the recent surge in kidnappings and violence plaguing northern Nigeria, a high-level security meeting was held in Abuja on Thursday.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, convened the meeting which brought together the Northern Governors’ Forum and top military officials, including the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Following the lengthy closed-door session, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, representing the forum, acknowledged the critical security situation and hinted at exploring “alternative options” to tackle the growing threats. He further emphasized the need to support the military’s “non-kinetic approach” to curb the insurgency.
This announcement comes in the wake of a harrowing incident last week, where bandits abducted nearly 300 students from a school in Kaduna State. The Nigerian military has vowed to secure the safe release of all abducted individuals.
In a separate development, the military addressed the abduction of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State. They highlighted that the IDPs ventured beyond the designated safe zone around the camp, hindering a swift response from security forces.
Additionally, the military emphasized the importance of timely reporting such incidents to facilitate faster intervention and improve rescue efforts.