Presidency Speaks Out: Reasons Behind Recent Killings In North Central Nigeria Revealed

The Presidency has attributed the persistent insecurity and communal conflicts in Nigeria’s North-Central region to longstanding issues such as land-grabbing, banditry, and illegal mining.

Dr. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North-Central), made the disclosure while speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. She was accompanied by her counterparts from the North-West, South-East, and South-West regions.

According to Essiet, the violence in the North-Central states has deep historical roots tied to land ownership disputes, competition over resources, and exploitation by armed groups.

“We identified historical mistrust, land-grabbing, banditry, and illegal mining as major triggers of violence. The President has promised to strengthen peace structures and ensure our communities are safe,” she said.

She noted that the Federal Government has established community peace structures across 121 local government areas, including 32 in Niger, 21 in Kogi, and 23 in Benue, with deployment set to begin this week in all 17 local government areas of Plateau State.

These structures will involve traditional rulers, farmers’ associations, Fulani groups, youths, and women, working together to promote reconciliation and prevent communal clashes.

Essiet also highlighted poor infrastructure as a major contributor to insecurity, particularly along the Kogi–Kwara corridor, which she described as a “safe haven for bandits” due to dilapidated roads. She noted that President Tinubu had directed relevant ministries to prioritize road repairs and infrastructure development to support security operations and boost economic activity.

On the North-West, Senior Special Assistant Abdullahi Tanko-Yakasai said efforts were underway to reduce the high number of out-of-school children, with vulnerable children being enrolled in schools and provided with uniforms, books, and learning materials.

“Our aim is to give every child in the North-West a chance at education and a better future,” he said.

Tanko-Yakasai also highlighted agricultural progress this season, while noting fertilizer access remains a challenge. He added that the President had pledged to address the issue and that his office is supporting voter registration drives, public awareness campaigns on the student loan scheme, and ongoing tax reforms.

For the South-East, Senior Special Assistant Chioma Nweze said the region had launched a Citizens’ Assembly to improve engagement with government policies. She noted that federal projects, including road construction, were restoring citizens’ confidence.

“It’s been a long time since we saw a federal presence in the South-East. But now, we are seeing significant road projects courtesy of this administration,” she said.

Nweze added that the Monday sit-at-home order was losing traction, while the President had pledged to support youth skill development and agricultural initiatives across the region’s 95 local government areas.