The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Jamilu Charanchi, has expressed deep concern over the escalating wave of violence across Northern Nigeria.
The coalition decried the growing trend of attacks on civilians in places once considered safe, including religious centres and social gatherings.
Charanchi disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, where he described the persistent attacks in Plateau State, Kaduna State and Benue State as part of a broader and worsening pattern of insecurity engulfing the region.
The coalition warned that the situation has degenerated into a full-scale security crisis requiring urgent national attention.
He noted that the worsening insecurity is not only threatening lives but also undermining economic stability, particularly in agrarian communities.
He said: “The situation is troubling. The entirety of the three regions in the North have unfortunately become war theaters. Communities are under siege, rural economies are collapsing, and citizens are living in constant fear.
“Conflict merchants are trying to exploit the situation to create further division at the time that we need to come together to confront the enemies that are killing us. So, we look at not as isolated incidents; but as a systemic security failure that demands urgent and decisive action.
“Insecurity has had a devastating impact on young people, as well as the elderly, women, and entire families. Youths are losing access to education, livelihoods, and opportunities due to constant fear and displacement. Many are forced into survival mode, while others are exposed to recruitment by criminal and extremist groups.
“The psychological toll is immense, with communities living in perpetual fear and uncertainty. This crisis is not selective as it affects every segment of society whether you are young or old, men or women but the youth are particularly vulnerable.
“But young people have a particular challenge, that instead of being empowered to build their future, they are growing up in an environment defined by violence, uncertainty, and trauma. This situation is breeding frustration and, in some cases, making them susceptible to exploitation or recruitment into criminal activities.”
He noted that within the past week alone, similar cases of killings, displacement, and lawlessness have been recorded in Katsina State, Zamfara State, Bauchi State, Niger State, and Kwara State, underscoring the widespread nature of the crisis.
Referencing the recent Kagarko attack and similar incidents in parts of Katsina, Zamfara, and Kwara, Charanchi described the development as a deliberate strategy by criminal groups to maximize casualties and spread fear.
Charanchi added, “We have seen attacks in hospitals etc. This trend is deeply troubling and reflects a dangerous level of boldness by these criminal elements. The question of safety at social gatherings is one that now weighs heavily on everyone.
“Such incidents have reinforced a painful reality that no place is truly safe anymore. It is a deliberate targeting of civilians meant to create chaos and break the social fabric of our communities. As it stands, many people now attend such events with anxiety. It is sad.
“In any conflict, youths are being used to activate it. They are critical and so have the role in promoting peace. They must take an active role in promoting peace by resisting recruitment into violent groups, supporting community vigilance efforts, and fostering dialogue across ethnic and religious lines.
“However, it is important to stress that the burden of security cannot be shifted entirely onto young people, the government must fulfill its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.”
Charanchi called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, and outlined key measures, including improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies, and the deployment of rapid response mechanisms.
He also stressed the need to prioritize the protection of vulnerable communities, especially in rural and high-risk areas.
“There must be accountability. Those responsible for these attacks must be identified and brought to justice without delay,” he said.
Charanchi further emphasized the importance of addressing root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion, while calling for sustained community engagement to rebuild trust.