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Boko Haram, Bandits Have Declared War on Nigeria, Says ACF Chair – Bashir Dalhatu
Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Bashir Dalhatu, has warned that both Boko Haram and armed bandits have effectively “declared war on Nigeria”, calling for a coordinated West African military response and urgent reinforcement of the country’s security architecture.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News yesterday, Dalhatu said: “This problem has been going on for the last 16 years, starting from Boko Haram down to the bandits in the North-West and now the North-central states. It has been very, very problematic. Governments have been trying in their own way to tackle this problem from the beginning, but unfortunately till now the problems have persisted.”
He noted a recent spike in attacks but also a renewed federal push: “Recently, we have seen a resurgence of attacks, but we have also noticed a resurgence of government determination to take care of it. We are very hopeful that this latest government determination will work well for all of us, so that we can get to the root of this problem and eliminate it.”
Explaining the nature of insecurity across the northern region, Dalhatu differentiated between extremist insurgency and profit-driven criminality.
He said, “From the beginning, we all know it started with Boko Haram in the North-east. That one is religious philosophy and ideology. They want to establish an Islamic state, and so they fight and kill anybody they believe is a hindrance to the attainment of their philosophy.”
He added that banditry in the North-west is driven primarily by money:
“When these bandits spread to the North-West, it appeared to be purely commercial. They are trading the lives and properties of individuals. They kidnap people, make money and they don’t have any particular philosophy they want to establish.”
The ACF chairman argued that the threat extends beyond Nigeria:
“Both Boko Haram and these bandits have declared war on Nigeria. And they are not only in Nigeria; they are in other parts of West Africa. I would have thought the governments and the West African ECOWAS community should have declared the same war on them and put together troops to fight them squarely.”
While acknowledging the government’s ongoing recruitment drive, Dalhatu advised a faster approach.
“I am quite happy that the government has now ordered the enlistment of more soldiers and security personnel. But I think a cheaper, more expedient way would be to re‑enlist or re‑admit retired soldiers and security personnel. They already have the experience and they know the environment very well.”
He argued this could facilitate the “complete elimination” of armed groups.
Dalhatu clarified the ACF’s position amid questions over participation in an emergency northern governors’ security meeting.
“The northern governors frequently meet in Kaduna, and the Arewa Consultative Forum is usually part of those meetings, especially when we have urgent issues. But essentially, our forum is an advocacy forum. We don’t have executive or legislative functions.”
He emphasised the ACF’s relevance:
“We are very, very important stakeholders. Arewa Consultative Forum is the creation of all the northern governors, all the northern emirs and chiefs, all the northern professionals and senior citizens. We collaborate with our governors and legislators so we can table urgent matters.”
But he acknowledged they do not have a permanent seat:“We don’t have a permanent seat in governors’ meetings, but we frequent it. We engage them, they invite us sometimes, and we ask to be invited sometimes.”
Dalhatu stressed that insecurity threatens all aspects of life in the region.
“Without security, all other things will not be attained. You cannot go to your farms. You cannot even earn a livelihood. The frightening aspect is that this thing is moving; it’s covering larger and bigger areas.”
Responding to criticism that northern leaders allowed socio-economic problems to fuel insecurity, Dalhatu admitted shortcomings.
“I am admitting it: partly it is our problem. We should have had a message that the large population we keep producing is going to cause a problem. We have about 15 million out‑of‑school children roaming the streets. If we had taken care of it at the beginning, it would not have grown to this volume.”
He said the ACF now prioritises skill acquisition:
“Our advocacy now is to encourage governments and individuals. We are going into skill acquisition for children who missed the opportunity to be in school, so they can be productive citizens. Last week in Kaduna, we established an endowment fund for skill acquisition and adult education.”
Asked whether the ACF supports negotiating with bandits, Dalhatu said a hybrid approach may be inevitable.
“There is a fierce debate between those who believe you do not win this kind of problem with only military approach and those who believe in talking and negotiating. A mixture of the two has been used successfully in many places.”
He referenced the Niger Delta model: “When there was an amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, it worked perfectly. They were given amnesty, sent to school, came back and became integrated citizens. That aspect can be looked at in the North.”
However, he stressed the criminality of the acts:
“Most of these bandits have not had the opportunity to go to school. Government should extend hands of friendship but make it quite clear that what they are doing is illegal and criminal, and those caught in the process are punished.”
He added, “Negotiations take place, and a lot of times they are fought. That is the choice of those in authority. With the resurgence of government determination, I believe we will record a lot of successes.”
Responding to comparisons made by some clerics, Dalhatu was categorical.
“In Islam and in our ACF, killing of anybody—Christian or Muslim—is condemnable. Our position is that the life of a Christian is as good as the life of a Muslim. We do not look at people from the religious perspective.”
On the controversial view that kidnapping is a “lesser evil”, he replied:
“I think killing is a higher grade than kidnapping. If you give me a choice whether I should be kidnapped or killed, I will tell you to kidnap me and not to kill me. But both are condemnable and must be fought.”
On Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s stance, he insisted:
“Everybody’s voice is valid. The constitution allows us to express our views. That does not mean the view is the correct one. But anybody can have a view.”
Reacting to public allegations that northern elites shield criminal groups, Dalhatu rejected the suggestion outright.
“If anybody would suggest that any sensible person in northern Nigeria would assist, collaborate or tolerate these killings and kidnappings, we are totally condemning it. People are suffering, people are being killed, losing limbs and losing livelihoods. Nobody in his right senses would know a killer or a kidnapper and tolerate such a situation.”
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The Oyo State Police Command has announced an operational success recorded following an intelligence-led operation.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command intercepted a truck conveying materials suspected to be explosive devices during a stop-and-search operation in Saki, Oyo State. The truck and the suspected materials were promptly secured and are currently in police custody.
Upon receiving a briefing on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Consequently, specialised personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Unit were deployed to safely secure the items for safekeeping and forensic examination. Detailed forensic analysis has since commenced, alongside a thorough and robust investigation to determine the exact nature of the items and their intended use.
The truck driver has been taken into custody and is cooperating fully with investigators as efforts continue to unravel all the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his unwavering support, strategic leadership, and continued provision of operational guidance that enhance proactive, intelligence-driven policing across the country.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
One person has died and another sustained injuries following an assault by suspected armed bandits in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
According to sources, the attack took place on January 24 around 4:00 p.m. along the Amoke–Odugbo road in Ukpogo Village, Edikwu Ward.
The victims, identified as Mr Joseph Okoh and Miss Aneh Sunday, both from Ogodumo, Adoka in Otukpo LGA, were reportedly riding a motorcycle when the assailants struck.
“They were rushed to the Comprehensive Health Centre, Ugbokpo, where Mr Okoh was confirmed dead while receiving treatment. Miss Sunday is currently admitted and responding to treatment,” the source stated.
Nigerian troops were quickly deployed to the area, and a search operation in the surrounding bushes is ongoing to apprehend the attackers.
“The Criminal Investigation Department has commenced an investigation into the incident,” the source added.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has scrapped special concessions and registration procedures previously granted to candidates with albinism for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, citing abuse of the privilege to perpetrate examination malpractice.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING
The Board also warned faith-based tertiary institutions to clearly declare their religious status at the point of admission, saying it is deceptive to present as secular and later impose religious rules on students.
As reported by Vanguard, these decisions were taken on Saturday at a meeting between JAMB management, led by its Registrar, Prof. Isaq Oloyede, and Commissioners for Education from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
Oloyede said the meeting was convened to review and assess previous admission exercises.
He noted that despite safeguards introduced by the Board, some individuals remained determined to circumvent the system.
“We have stopped some concessions we gave albino candidates. This is because some are using artificial intelligence to manipulate the registration process to look like they are albinos because of the consideration we gave them.
“Last year alone, over 7,000 claimed to be albinos. We have stopped special registration procedures for albinos,” he said.
Addressing complaints from candidates admitted into some private institutions over compulsory religious instruction, Oloyede urged faith-based schools to be transparent.
“Faith-based institutions should declare from the onset what they are, so that whoever applies there will know what he is going to meet there. But some don’t do that. They will pretend to be secular, but once students are admitted, trouble will begin over religious instruction and injunctions.
“If you are a faith-based institution, say so. The law allows you to set up faith-based schools,” he said.
On last year’s UTME, where the highest-scoring candidate was later found to be a 300-level university student, the JAMB registrar said investigations showed that some undergraduates sit for the examination to change courses or assist others to secure admission.
“Students who are already in school but want to change courses and are applying again must declare and disclose their status.
“We have found that some candidates already in school are writing the examination for other candidates. Last year, the candidate who scored the highest was found to be a 300-level student in the university.
“Henceforth, any candidate found engaging in such an act, and who fails to disclose that he is already in school but wants to change course, will be disqualified and will also lose his current admission,” he said.
On admission criteria, Oloyede explained that federal government-owned institutions allocate 45 per cent on merit, 20 per cent on catchment area, 20 per cent to educationally disadvantaged states, while the remaining slots are allocated to other considerations.
“Each owner or state has the right to decide what its admission criteria will be. But for states, we encourage them to allocate at least 10 per cent to merit, regardless of where the candidates come from.
“This is to diversify the student population and admit eggheads from different communities,” he said.
He criticised some states for establishing new universities despite not fully utilising their admission quotas in existing federal institutions.
On underage candidates, Oloyede said 16 years remained the minimum admission age, noting that an attestation process was in place for exceptional cases.
“Last year, about 42,000 claimed to be underage. After evaluation, only 78 met the criteria and were admitted. We are not saying there are no talented candidates, but the figure looks outlandish,” he said.
The issue of how to engage underage candidates during a gap year divided opinions at the meeting, but a majority voted for JAMB to continue its special assessment process.
The meeting also observed that parental pressure on children to complete their education too quickly was a major contributor to the problem.
On efforts to curb examination malpractice, Oloyede said JAMB had stopped the movement of computers between Computer-Based Test centres.
“A computer registered in a particular centre will remain there and is not transferable to another centre. Some people borrow computers to get accredited and later move them around,” he said.
He dismissed claims that candidates were posted to towns they did not choose, saying personal data used for registration were drawn directly from the National Identification Number submitted by candidates.
Providing an update on the 2025 UTME, Oloyede said 974,855 candidates had so far been admitted out of about 1.95 million who sat for the examination.
He added that over N2.4 billion had been disbursed to institutions that consistently complied with JAMB’s rules over the past 10 years, and that the meeting agreed that schools producing the best candidates should be compensated.
On accreditation of CBT centres, Oloyede said the process involved teams comprising university vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts in each state.
He warned state governments against agreements with private promoters who might use centres to facilitate malpractice.
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Art & Commercial students don’t fail JAMB because they’re dull. They fail because they’re taught like Science students. Science students calculate — JAMB rewards that. Art students explain — JAMB doesn’t. So you read hard, attend lessons, yet your score disappoints you. This online class fixes that. No theory overload. No confusion. Just real JAMB questions, clear breakdowns, and winning strategies. 📌 JAMB is not hard — you were just taught the wrong way.Click The Link To Reach Us Now 👉 https://wa.me/2349063958940
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