Nigeria: Military Force Cannot Resolve Grievances Fueling North Central Violence - Tinubu

What the report says

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu used the 2026 North Central Regional Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State, to argue that military action alone cannot end the violence affecting Nigeria’s North Central region. Reporting by Leadership, published through AllAfrica, said Tinubu was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and urged a broader response involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, communities, youths, women, development partners and the private sector.

Tinubu said local leaders should act as early-warning voices and help mediate disputes, while residents should share information with security agencies and avoid protecting criminals out of ethnic or family loyalty. He also called for stronger cooperation among security agencies and governments, saying insecurity crosses state lines and is worsened by poor coordination and withheld intelligence. The summit theme focused on collaborative approaches to security and regional stability.

The president linked the unrest to several long-running pressures, including competition over land and water, climate change, desertification, unresolved land-use disputes, weak local conflict-resolution systems and the spread of illegal weapons. He said the federal response would combine security operations with development measures, including efforts to modernize livestock production, support agriculture, improve rural infrastructure and expand economic opportunities.

As general context, Nigeria’s North Central states have faced recurring farmer-herder clashes, banditry and communal violence for years, making the region a key test case for security and land-use reform. Tinubu also asked the Defence Minister to submit the summit’s recommendations and follow through on implementation, signaling concern that similar meetings should lead to practical action.