President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s determination to eliminate banditry and terrorism in Northern Nigeria, declaring that no region will be allowed to “bleed in silence” under his leadership.

Speaking in Kaduna at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the President, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, described the security challenges he inherited as “deep, layered, and sophisticated,” but emphasized that his government is committed to restoring peace with urgency and firmness.

Tinubu warned that meaningful national progress cannot be achieved if critical regions such as the North remain “paralyzed.” He stressed that stability in the North is essential to the peace and prosperity of the federation.

He commended the ACF for 25 years of service, calling it a “repository of thinkers, patriots, mediators, and moral voices” that has safeguarded the interests of millions in the region.

Highlighting the region’s security crisis, Tinubu described it as one of the gravest tests in Northern history, with eroding security structures, weakening communal ethics, and a declining moral compass. However, he insisted that the North has not failed.

“It will only fail if leaders retreat from their responsibility to be their brothers’ keepers,” he said, adding that leadership loses meaning the day officials sleep peacefully while millions remain hungry or live in fear.

The President expressed optimism about an impending economic turnaround in the North, citing the anticipated production of crude oil from the Kolmani fields and other emerging economic opportunities.

He listed ongoing development projects, including accelerated rail, road, and water transportation initiatives, and disclosed that the Abuja Kaduna Kano Superhighway is set for completion and commissioning in Kano in the coming months.

Tinubu also praised the proposed ACF Endowment Fund, describing it as visionary, with a focus on girl child education, youth skills development, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.

He urged Northern political, traditional, and civil society leaders to recommit to the founding values of the ACF, courage, justice, fairness, and collective responsibility, emphasizing that unity remains the region’s greatest strength.

“With unity, there is no challenge the North cannot overcome,” he added.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, speaking at the anniversary, expressed confidence that Northern Nigeria can overcome persistent insecurity if leaders and institutions coordinate effectively and leverage available resources.

Representing the Senate President, Barau congratulated the ACF on its Silver Jubilee and honoured its founding fathers, noting that their foresight shaped a resilient Northern region.

He acknowledged that while trend analyses often highlight the North’s challenges, they do not erase its history of resilience and determination.

Barau noted that similar security threats exist across West Africa and stressed that Northern leaders at the federal level, including himself and the Speaker, are ready to collaborate with states and local institutions to address the root causes of insecurity.