North-Central Security Summit Sets Timelines for Action on Banditry, Kidnapping

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says military operations alone cannot deliver lasting peace in the North-Central, calling for collective action involving governments, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities.

The President stated this at the 2026 North-Central Regional Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said security challenges in the region require stronger collaboration and efforts to address the social and economic factors driving violence.

Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, said the summit was convened to hear directly from the people and develop common solutions to insecurity. He also stressed the need to prevent cattle from grazing on farms to reduce conflicts.

Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, said the summit comes at a critical time as the region continues to face banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping and violent extremism.

President Tinubu directed the Defence Minister to transmit the recommendations from the summit and provide reports on their implementation.

He said the meeting must produce practical outcomes with clearly assigned responsibilities, timelines and measurable results.

The North-Central summit is the second in a series of regional security meetings, following the South-East Regional Security Summit held in Umuahia in July.