With Synergy, Northern Leaders Can Defeat Insecurity in Region Says Barau

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has challenged political leaders and key institutions in Northern Nigeria to adopt a unified and better-coordinated strategy to confront the region’s escalating security crisis, insisting that the North has the capacity to reverse its decline.

Barau delivered the message in Kaduna on Saturday at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, where he argued that effective collaboration among governors, lawmakers, and traditional institutions could replicate the security gains recorded elsewhere in the country.

“The problems confronting the North are surmountable. We have the capacity, the leadership, and the resources to deal with them,” he said. “What is required is unity, collaboration, and a coordinated approach. If other regions have overcome similar threats, nothing stops the North from doing the same.”

Representing the Senate President at the event, Barau praised the ACF for maintaining its role as a rallying point for the region and saluted its founding members for their “foresight, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to building a resilient and united North.”

He said trend assessments presented by the ACF, which highlighted growing insecurity and development gaps, should not override the region’s history of endurance.

“Yes, the challenges are real. But the North is known for its courage and determination. Reports and data may point to our problems, but they do not define who we are,” he said.

Barau noted that insecurity in the North reflects broader threats across West Africa, stressing that the regional spread of terrorism demands stronger cross-border cooperation. “Insecurity today is not limited to Nigeria; it is a regional issue. But it has been tackled successfully elsewhere through political will, good leadership, and proper coordination. The same can be achieved here,” he said.

He emphasised that the North currently holds key positions in the federal structure, including the leadership of the House of Representatives and several senior parliamentary roles, which he said were being used to support state governments and local institutions.

Barau urged governors to utilise rising revenues and work more closely with federal lawmakers to unlock funding and legislative backing for critical security interventions. “If the resources within the states are not enough, Mr President is ready to intervene. But the initiative must start from home. Leaders must take ownership of the solutions,” he said.

He asked the ACF to deepen dialogue among political, traditional, and community actors, warning that the region would struggle to make meaningful progress without sustained engagement and aligned policies.

“The ACF must continue to bring leaders, traditional rulers, community groups, and policymakers to the same table. Inclusive conversations are key to designing lasting solutions. No single institution can do it alone,” he said.

Barau closed his remarks by urging the North to draw on its strengths and rebuild. “Let’s not lose hope. With the right actions and effective use of our resources, we will overcome insecurity and every other challenge confronting our region. The North will rise again,” he said.