Northern Nigeria Must Wake Up Before It Is Too Late” – Hamza Nuhu Dantani

By Hassan Taiye

A human rights activist and legal practitioner, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, has raised concern over the worsening security situation across Northern Nigeria, warning that the region faces a serious threat to its stability and future if urgent action is not taken.

Dantani said the disturbing level of insecurity in the region has become more complex due to the evolving strategies of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and its faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as the persistent activities of bandits.
He called on political leaders, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, community leaders and the general public in the North to wake up to the frightening reality and collectively confront the growing security challenges.
According to him, while external threats remain a major concern, some of the region’s challenges are rooted in social and structural failures within Northern communities.
Dantani noted that practices such as mass marriage sponsorship without long-term planning, uncontrolled population growth without adequate parental responsibility, the abandonment of children under the Almajiri system and the failure to prioritise modern education have contributed to the emergence of a large population of vulnerable youths.
“These social conditions have unfortunately created fertile ground for recruitment into criminal and extremist activities. If we fail to address these issues honestly, lasting peace in Northern Nigeria will remain difficult to achieve,” he said.
He cited several recent violent incidents across the region to illustrate the growing insecurity.
In January 2026, insurgents attacked a military formation in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing at least eight Nigerian soldiers and injuring more than fifty others.
Similarly, in February 2026, gunmen suspected to be linked to extremist groups reportedly attacked the Woro community, killing about 200 people.
In the first week of March, militants from Islamic State West Africa Province launched an assault on a military base along the Bama–Gwoza Road, killing several soldiers, including Major U.I. Mairiga.
Dantani also recalled another incident in which insurgents overran a military position, burned armoured vehicles, assassinated the Chief Imam of Ngoshe and abducted more than 100 women and children.
He further noted that banditry continues to spread across the region. In Niger State, bandits reportedly attacked villages in Borgu Local Government Area, killing residents, rustling cattle and burning shops, while earlier attacks in nearby communities had already claimed over 40 lives.
The activist warned that insecurity is gradually spreading to states previously considered relatively peaceful.
In Kano State, bandits recently invaded Unguwar Tsamiya, popularly known as Dabawa, in Shanono Local Government Area and abducted 11 residents.
Similarly, residents of Digare community in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State raised alarm over bandit attacks in February, while by March several residents from surrounding villages had reportedly fled to Kashere after being displaced by violence.
According to him, the situation in Katsina State and Zamfara State remains particularly alarming, with frequent cases of kidnapping, killings and attacks forcing many communities into displacement and hardship.
Dantani also stressed that while the government and security agencies have the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, communities must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding themselves.
He cited a recent incident in Minna, Niger State, where a robbery victim managed to disarm and shoot one of the attackers after being trailed from a bank, forcing the gang to flee.
The activist urged Northern communities to address key issues such as access to quality education and responsible population planning, warning that failure to confront these problems could worsen the security crisis.
He concluded that Northern Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads and called for urgent collective action to restore peace and stability in the region.
Dantani also expressed condolences to families of victims of insecurity and commended members of the security forces for their sacrifices in defending the country.