The Insecurity in Northern Nigeria and the Complicity of Northern Elders

By Akinyemi Gbenga

Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is no longer a matter of isolated incidents; it has become a full-blown national emergency. Nowhere is this more evident than in the northern part of the country, where banditry, terrorism, and mass abductions continue to escalate. Yet, behind the violence lies a deeper, uncomfortable truth: a level of silent complicity among some northern elites who have refused to confront the decay eating deep into their own region.

One figure who embodies this troubling pattern is Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. For years, Gumi has positioned himself as a self-appointed intermediary between the Nigerian state and armed bandits. But a closer look reveals something far more dangerous than advocacy: a consistent attempt to rationalize the actions of violent criminals who have murdered, raped, abducted, and terrorized Nigerians, most of them northern citizens.

Gumi repeatedly describes bandits as misunderstood victims of the system rather than armed terrorists who have destroyed thousands of lives. His public statements often frame the bandits’ actions as reactions to neglect, and he has chastised military operations against them while urging negotiation and incentives. These positions are not just morally troubling; they actively undermine national security efforts. And the more he speaks, the clearer it becomes that his sentiments echo the unspoken beliefs of several northern elders who have chosen silence, denial, or subtle justification over responsibility.

Another issue that raises deeper questions is the alarming rise of commercial motorcycle (okada) riders across Nigerian cities. A significant percentage, often estimated at over 90%, are grown-up Almajiri youths with no verifiable source of livelihood or traceable economic background. Who is buying these motorcycles? Who is funding this rapid proliferation? What networks are behind the distribution of thousands of bikes to unemployed young men who are easily manipulated, economically desperate, and already conditioned by years of neglect? This pattern cannot be dismissed as coincidence. It points to organized interests and systemic exploitation that Nigeria has refused for too long to investigate.

During the public confrontation between Governor Nyesom Wike and Senator Yerima, some top military authorities found their voice. Today, that same authoritative voice is conspicuously missing in the face of rising bandit attacks, mass abductions, and inflammatory statements by individuals like Gumi.

The recent abduction of schoolgirls, another painful reminder of the 2014 Chibok tragedy, proves that nothing has truly changed. Our daughters are still not safe. Our communities are still exposed. And the very leaders who should be protecting the region’s future are enabling its destruction through silence and political gamesmanship.

This is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must act decisively, courageously, and urgently.

Mr. President is in office at a historic moment. Nigeria is at a dangerous crossroads, and failure to address the northern security crisis with firmness will have consequences no future leader may be able to reverse.

The country cannot remain hostage to armed criminals, compromised influencers, and leaders who prioritize regional sentiments over national survival.

If President Tinubu fails to confront this threat now by dismantling bandit networks, prosecuting their sympathizers, and holding northern elites accountable, we may reach a point where no one can fix Nigeria.

This is not merely a security issue. It is a fight for the soul and future of the nation.

Now is the time to act.

God bless Nigeria.