In response to the escalating security crisis in the region, the 19 Northern governors have scheduled an emergency meeting for November 29, 2025, to be held in Kaduna State.
The meeting follows a similar gathering held by South-West governors at the Oyo State Governor’s Office in Ibadan on Monday, where they resolved that the creation of state police was now necessary to combat rising bandit attacks.
Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, confirmed the Saturday meeting as concerns mounted over the recent closure of schools in several states. He explained that the Northern governors would deliberate on concrete steps to address growing cases of kidnapping, banditry and other security threats.
The Northern region has recently witnessed multiple attacks on educational institutions, forcing many state governments to temporarily shut down schools. Last week, armed attackers invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the vice principal. Days later in Niger State, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, abducting more than 300 students and staff, though about 50 later escaped.
Ahemba said the emergency meeting would focus on measures to prevent further escalation of the crisis. He noted that the Nasarawa State Governor, who chairs the North Central Governors Forum, had to cut short his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to address security concerns at home.
He added that the governor had convened another emergency security meeting on Monday, which focused on preventing further attacks, strengthening surveillance, and boosting support for security agencies.
The South-West governors, in their own meeting, called on the Federal Government to urgently secure forests across the region, noting that criminal elements had turned them into hideouts. Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, Seyi Makinde, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Biodun Oyebanji were present, while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his deputy.
Reading the communique, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed the region’s support for creating state police, stressing that “the time is now.” They also established a South-West Security Fund under the DAWN Commission and agreed to create a digital intelligence-sharing platform across all six states.
The governors called for enhanced forest surveillance and urged the Federal Government to deploy forest guards in collaboration with state governments. They also expressed concern over unregulated interstate migration and rising illegal mining activities, calling for stricter monitoring and enforcement.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang is set to unveil a comprehensive plan to address insecurity in the state. His Special Adviser on Policy and Governance, Yiljap Abraham, said the governor had been engaging security chiefs but did not provide a timeline for the announcement.
In Kebbi State, the government has hosted multiple security summits to strengthen internal safety. Kano State has also taken independent steps to boost local security, including providing vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies in affected local government areas.
The Bauchi State Government has announced the immediate closure of all schools—primary, secondary, and tertiary—due to heightened security concerns. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Education said the decision followed extensive consultations and was aimed at ensuring the safety of students and teachers. The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, has also suspended academic activities in compliance with the directive.
In Gombe State, the Police Command has intensified security around schools following a strategy meeting between the Commissioner of Police and the Association of Principals of Secondary Schools. Patrols, surveillance and rapid-response operations have been reinforced, especially in vulnerable locations.
At a labour event on Monday, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, criticised the closures and accused the government of failing to address the union’s outstanding demands. He lamented that education was “under attack” both by criminals and by government neglect.
The National Union of Teachers also warned that it would shut schools in volatile areas if adequate security measures were not provided.
Amnesty International Nigeria expressed concern that the rise in mass abductions could derail education in Northern Nigeria. Country Director Isa Sanusi said the psychological impact of kidnappings would deter thousands of children from attending school.
Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, said Nigeria’s security challenges are worsened by a long-standing lack of a shared national identity. He emphasised the need to embed national values in university curricula.
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In Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris urged President Bola Tinubu to review the country’s security architecture after the abduction of schoolgirls in Maga. He criticised the lack of resistance during the attack and insisted that the people deserved answers. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who led a federal delegation to the state, condemned the attack and announced financial support for the families of the victims. Idris also accepted the proposal to rename the school after the late vice principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who died defending the students.
Across Borno State, Christian worshippers gathered in Maiduguri on Monday evening for a prayer session organised in response to rising attacks. The exercise followed Governor Babagana Zulum’s call for a state-wide prayer and fasting.
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria announced a five-day crusade titled “Jos Jesus Crusade,” scheduled for December 17–21, 2025, aimed at promoting peace and unity in Plateau State.
