A coalition of concerned Nigerian leaders has issued a joint statement warning about insecurity that they say has reached "wartime levels" of violence.
The nineteen leaders, drawn from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, are calling for the immediate creation of a Presidential Task Force to address the security crisis.
They include former aviation and information ministers, Osita Chidoka and Frank Nweke Jr. The others are Mohammed Abdullahi, Sergius Ogun, Kadaria Ahmed, Nuruddeen Muhammad, Abdullahi Maibasira, Dr. Ali Bappayo Adamu, Opeyemi Adamolekun, Paul Ogbole, Ugo Egbujo, Sam Amadi, Abba Bukar Abba Masta, Hon. Dr. Midala Usman Balami, Ismaeel Ahmed, Basharu Altine Isah, Tolu Aderemi, Jamila Bio Ibrahim, and Tonye Patrick Cole.
Citing figures from Amnesty International, a statement from the coalition pointed to 10,217 violent killings in the last two years, comparing it to global conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.
It broke it down to states:
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The killing of at least 6,896 people in Benue, with over 450,000 displaced.
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The loss of 2,630 lives in Plateau, the abandonment of villages due to fear, the poisoning of boreholes, and the torching of granaries.
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The sacking of at least 638 villages in Zamfara by bandits, and the mandatory payment of levies to criminal gangs to avoid mass killings.
The leaders warned of the resurgence of Boko Haram in the Northeast, citing recent attacks that have forced farmers off their lands and revived fears of the terror group's previous strength.
As a solution, the coalition said its proposed Presidential Task Force on National Security should be empowered to:
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Operationalize community-based early warning systems to ensure local intelligence triggers immediate action.
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Implement a disarmament and reintegration program in conflict zones to enable the safe return of displaced populations.
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Drive accountability through quarterly public security reports that disclose arrests, prosecutions, and progress.
