In response to the alarming rise in insecurity across Nigeria, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) convened a high-level, closed-door meeting on Wednesday night with National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
The emergency meeting, held at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, was presided over by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who currently serves as the chairman of the Forum.
Governors from at least 16 states attended the session, including those from Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Plateau, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Kogi, Ondo, Imo, Cross River, Ogun, and Edo States. Their presence underscored the urgency and seriousness of the discussions.
Focus: Escalating Insecurity and the Benue Massacre
Although no official communiqué was issued immediately after the meeting, insider sources told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the session was primarily focused on the deteriorating security situation nationwide. A particular point of concern was the recent massacre in Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where over 100 residents were reportedly killed in a brutal attack believed to have been carried out by armed assailants.
The closed-door dialogue was said to involve security briefings from the NSA and the Defence Minister, who provided updates on ongoing military and intelligence operations, challenges faced by security agencies, and plans to address the escalating violence.
President Tinubu’s Visit to Benue and Directives to Security Chiefs
Earlier that same day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a visit to Benue State, where he met with state officials, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders at the Government House in Makurdi. During the engagement, the President condemned the Yelewata killings in strong terms and issued a stern directive to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, mandating them to immediately identify and apprehend those responsible for the atrocity.
In a rare public show of displeasure, President Tinubu reportedly questioned the police leadership’s delayed response and demanded accelerated efforts by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to strengthen intelligence gathering and surveillance mechanisms aimed at preventing further attacks.
High-Level Attendance at Makurdi Stakeholders’ Meeting
The Makurdi meeting was also attended by top government and community figures, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, several former governors of Benue State, and prominent traditional rulers. Their involvement signaled a coordinated effort to unite both federal and local leadership in confronting the region’s growing security crisis.
National Security at a Tipping Point
This emergency meeting between the governors and the nation’s top security officials marks yet another indication that Nigeria’s internal security challenges are reaching a critical juncture. From the Middle Belt to the North-West and parts of the South, reports of violent attacks, communal clashes, and armed incursions have become increasingly frequent.
Observers note that the NGF's engagement with federal security leaders may be a prelude to more drastic policy decisions or security interventions in the coming weeks.
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