Shehu Sani, a former senator from who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has called on northern political elites to address the root causes of insecurity in the region and stop politicising the crisis. Sani stated this on Tuesday at his residence in Kaduna when Open Heart Foundation and the Women Empowerment Centre, paid him a courtesy visit.
He accused northern leaders of exploiting the security situation for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sani decried what he described as “political hypocrisy, failed leadership and worsening insecurity that has affected northern Nigeria for more than a decade.”
He identified almajirci, mass illiteracy, poverty and underdevelopment as central factors driving the region’s insecurity and called on northern leaders to confront the issues without further excuses.
He said, “The terrorists in the North East are northerners; the bandits in the North West speak Hausa, Fulfulde and Kanuri not Mandarin or French. This is our problem. Only we can solve it.
Sani urged civil society organisations to hold government accountable but warned them against being used in political conflicts.
“Continue to speak out, but never allow yourselves to be used to undermine our security agencies.
“The future of the North depends on courage, honesty and unity.
“The question remains; when will the North sit down and confront its problems sincerely?”
He stated “for 15 years, northern Nigeria has been a theatre of bloodshed,” noting that “schools, churches, mosques, villages, nothing has been spared since 2013.”
Sani also said that insurgent networks now operate across West Africa “with increasing boldness.”
He accused some political actors of celebrating attacks in order to weaken the government.
He said, “Some of the loudest voices today were silent when thousands were kidnapped under a government they called ‘our own’
“Now they attempt to weaponise insecurity as 2027 approaches. Some even rejoice when soldiers fall. This is immoral.”
Sani listed school attacks including Bethel Baptist High School, Greenfield University, the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Jangebe and Yauri, and noted that many victims spent years in captivity while leaders looked away.
He also criticised Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna state, over his recent allegation that more than N1billion was paid to bandits by the current administration of Governor Uba Sani.
Sani said, “It is on record that Nasir El- Rufai admitted, he once appeased bandits. Under his watch, Kaduna witnessed some of its worst divisions.
“He even withdrew his own son from a nearby school due to insecurity. The irony is loud.”
Sani maintained that Kaduna is not yet safe but added that the current administration deserves credit for reduced religious tension and improving security in areas such as Birnin Gwari.
“Governor Uba Sani never claimed 100 per cent peace, but the relative calm and the reintegration of communities must be acknowledged,” he said.
He also said President Bola Tinubu’s government has made measurable progress.
He dismissed expectations that foreign countries would resolve Nigeria’s security crisis.
Sani said, The United States will not save us. Europe will not. Our salvation lies in strengthening our armed forces and uniting as citizens. Insecurity does not stop at borders.”
He warned that attacks on schools, churches and mosques may increase as elections approach because “some actors view bloodshed as a route to power.”
Speaking earlier, Hassana Zubairu acting Chairperson of the Open Heart Foundation and Rabiatu Nasiru, Chairperson of the Women Skill Empowerment Centre, expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of students and the general insecurity across the country.
