Middle Belt Forum Urges FG to Replicate Oyo Rescue Efforts to Save Victims in Borno and Kaduna
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has called on the Federal Government to adopt strategies similar to those implemented in Oyo State to rescue and provide support for victims of insecurity in Borno and Kaduna States.
The forum said the humanitarian challenges facing communities in the two northern states require urgent intervention, stressing that coordinated rescue operations, rehabilitation programmes, and support for displaced persons should be treated as a national priority.
According to the MBF, the response demonstrated by the Oyo State Government in handling emergency situations offers valuable lessons that could be replicated in conflict-affected regions where thousands of residents continue to face violence, displacement, and economic hardship.
The group urged the Federal Government to strengthen collaboration with state governments, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, and local communities to improve rescue operations and provide long-term assistance to victims.
The forum noted that while military operations remain important in addressing insecurity, equal attention should be given to the welfare of civilians affected by armed attacks, kidnappings, and communal violence.
It stressed that many families in Borno and Kaduna have continued to suffer the devastating consequences of insecurity, with several communities experiencing repeated attacks that have disrupted livelihoods, education, healthcare services, and economic activities.
MBF said adopting successful intervention models from other states would help improve emergency response mechanisms and restore confidence among affected populations.
The organisation also appealed for increased investment in rehabilitation centres, temporary shelters, medical care, psychological support, and livelihood programmes for victims displaced by insecurity.
According to the forum, sustainable recovery requires more than security operations. It called on authorities to prioritise rebuilding destroyed communities, supporting affected families, and ensuring displaced persons can safely return to their homes.
The group further urged relevant federal agencies to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian assistance while ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of relief materials and intervention funds.
Security experts have consistently argued that addressing Nigeria's insecurity requires a comprehensive approach that combines military action with humanitarian support, community engagement, intelligence gathering, and economic development.
In recent years, Borno has remained one of the states most affected by insurgency, while Kaduna has experienced repeated incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes that have displaced thousands of residents.
The MBF maintained that effective rescue operations should be followed by deliberate efforts to rebuild affected communities and provide opportunities for victims to regain stable livelihoods.
It added that lessons from successful interventions in other parts of the country should be studied and adapted where appropriate to improve emergency response across Nigeria.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges across different regions, making coordinated humanitarian interventions increasingly important. Calls to replicate successful rescue and rehabilitation strategies could help improve government response to victims of insecurity, reduce humanitarian suffering, and strengthen public confidence in national emergency management efforts.
A coordinated approach that combines rescue operations with long-term recovery programmes may also contribute to restoring stability in conflict-affected communities.