PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTHERN COMRADES MOVEMENT OF NIGERIA (NCMN), MALLAM JABIR IBRAHIM YARO, AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE THEME: "THE SECURITY SITUATION ACROSS THE 19 NORTHERN STATES AND NIGERIA AS A WHOLE: A CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION"
15 TH June 2026
Gentlemen of the Press,
Today, the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria addresses the nation with a deep sense of concern, patriotism, and urgency regarding the deteriorating security situation across the nineteen Northern States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a whole.
Nigeria is passing through one of the most challenging security periods in its recent history. Across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-South and south-east Nigeria, innocent citizens continue to lose their lives to banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, communal conflicts, cattle rustling, and other violent criminal activities.
From January to June 2026 alone, numerous communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, Oyo and other states have experienced devastating attacks. Hundreds of innocent citizens have been killed, many more injured, while thousands of families have been displaced from their homes.
Particularly alarming is the situation in the North-West, where bandits continue to attack villages, abduct school children and travelers, impose illegal levies on rural communities, rustle livestock, and disrupt economic activities. Farmers are increasingly unable to access their farmlands, thereby threatening food security and worsening poverty across the region.
Equally troubling is the resurgence of terrorist activities by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and emerging criminal groups such as Lakurawa operating in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions. These threats continue to undermine the sacrifices of our gallant security personnel and expose innocent citizens to untold hardship.
As an organization committed to justice, peace and national development, we are deeply disturbed by the growing number of military officers and security personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Among those reportedly lost in recent years are Brigadier General Musa Uba, Major General Abubakar Rabe (Rtd.), Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, Lieutenant Colonel S.I. Iliyasu, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Farouq, Colonel Aliyu Saidu Paiko, and Lieutenant Colonel Umar Ibrahim Mairiga, among others.
We have also witnessed reports of attacks on military formations, the loss of camp commanders in operational theatres, attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and the deaths of officers and soldiers who dedicated decades of their lives to defending Nigeria. These losses represent not only personal tragedies for their families but also a painful loss of experience, leadership and institutional knowledge for our armed forces.
The Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria notes with concern the growing public perception that insecurity is becoming normalized. We refuse to accept such a situation. No nation can develop when its citizens live in fear. No economy can thrive when farmers cannot cultivate their lands, traders cannot move freely, and investors lack confidence in the safety of their investments.
We recently took note of comments attributed to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa attributing the worsening insecurity situation to the current war between Iran and Israel and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, suggesting that only God can solve the insecurity challenges facing the country. While we acknowledge Almighty God as the ultimate source of protection and guidance, we respectfully submit that those entrusted with public office also have constitutional responsibilities that cannot be delegated, so Iran/Israel war should not be an excuse to the defence sector.