The Arewa Cohesion for Unity, Peace and Development Initiative (ACI) has unveiled an enforcement-driven framework aimed at tackling insecurity across Northern Nigeria, declaring that it would move beyond the usual cycle of summits, communiqués and promises.
The initiative’s Director-General, Dr Abdullahi Idris, disclosed this on Wednesday at a security summit convened by the group in Kaduna, where he said the organisation would pursue practical and measurable solutions to the region’s security challenges.
The summit brought together security experts, traditional rulers, youth and women groups, civil society organisations and community representatives to deliberate on ways to address insecurity in the North.
Idris said the key difference between the initiative and previous interventions would be its emphasis on follow-through.
He explained that the summit would produce a communiqué outlining specific responsibilities for federal, state and local governments, as well as civil society and community groups.
According to him, ACI would subsequently engage individual stakeholders and monitor the level of compliance with the agreed recommendations.
“This initiative will endure even after this. It is not going to be a talk show where papers are presented, big grammar, and we disperse,” Idris said.
To sustain the initiative, ACI said it would establish a dedicated monitoring desk at its secretariat, train and deploy peace and youth ambassadors, and conduct quarterly outreach programmes across Northern Nigeria.
Idris identified unemployment, poverty, drug abuse and challenges associated with the Almajiri system as some of the major factors fuelling insecurity in the region.
He argued that military operations alone would not be sufficient to resolve the crisis, stressing the need to address the socio-economic conditions that make communities vulnerable to criminal recruitment.
“The kinetic approach that government is using right now is okay, it’s good, it’s helpful, but it’s not enough,” he said.
“Any society where people cannot get employment, farmers cannot go to farm, businesses are dying, industries have collapsed, it’s a breeding ground for all sorts of anti-social behaviour.”
The ACI director-general also warned that Almajiri children across the region could remain vulnerable to recruitment by insurgents and bandits if urgent reforms were not implemented.
On youth engagement, he said the organisation would work directly with young people within their communities instead of relying mainly on large central gatherings.
“It is more effective if you reach them where they are and you enlighten them, and you empower them, and you talk to them, and you counsel them,” he said.
Describing insecurity as the biggest challenge facing Northern Nigeria, Idris said the theme of the summit, “United Action Against Insecurity”, was intended to encourage stakeholders to put aside ethnic and religious differences.
“Security is everybody’s business. We are putting aside all our affiliations and looking squarely at the issue of insecurity. By the grace of God, we shall succeed,” he added.
The Special Guest at the summit, Hon. Dr Muhammad Ali, highlighted the devastating impact of years of insurgency, banditry and violent attacks on communities across Northern Nigeria.
He said insecurity had severely affected livelihoods, agriculture, education and local economies, while criticising what he described as inadequate and largely reactive responses by authorities.
Ali called on Northern leaders and citizens to demand greater accountability from governments, stressing that protecting lives and property remained the primary responsibility of government.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged voters to make security, peace and good governance key considerations when choosing political leaders.
He also called for the rejection of politics driven by ethnic divisions, partisan interests and short-term incentives.
At the end of the summit, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting peaceful coexistence and developing practical measures to address kidnapping, killings and displacement across Northern Nigeria.
They also resolved to sustain dialogue among governments, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society organisations and local communities as part of efforts to restore lasting peace.
ACI officials said the newly established monitoring desk and quarterly engagements would commence immediately, with the first phase of community outreach expected to begin in the coming months.
