UK-based Nigerian mother cries for help after Social Services take kids away, husband arrested

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Kaduna – Despite the efforts of the late Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria, to uplift the North, contemporary realities have set the region back, with accusations of betrayal from within the North itself.

Members of Gamji Heritage, a group dedicated to preserving Sardauna’s legacy, expressed these concerns during the 2025 National Annual Gamji (Sir Ahmadu Bello) Memorial Conference at Arewa House, Kaduna.

The group’s Chairman, Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi, highlighted challenges such as economic collapse, insecurity, devaluation of the Naira, and subsidy removal. However, the Gamji Heritage also acknowledged potential benefits of government policies, urging efforts to reduce hardships.

“We urge the government to pursue the gains in these policies to alleviate citizens’ suffering and stabilize prices,” the group said.

Abdullahi called for unity among Nigerians to address pressing challenges and emphasized collective efforts to restore Nigeria’s leadership in Africa and beyond. He praised Sardauna’s achievements, including transformative institutions like Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University, and key infrastructure projects.

Guest Speaker Hon. Mainasara Kogo Umar, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, proposed bold measures to combat corruption and insecurity. He called for auditing 20 years of security spending to ensure accountability and suggested drastic actions, including clearing forests used as hideouts by terrorists.

“The nine bushes sheltering terrorists in Northern Nigeria—from Sambisa to Rugu forests—should be cleared and repurposed, despite environmental concerns,” Umar suggested. He also proposed turning these areas into agricultural and industrial hubs to create jobs and boost economic activities.

Umar advocated for restructuring the security framework, including establishing specialized security units like a National Border Security Police and National Cyber Crime Police. He also emphasized the need for transparency in security funding and accountability for corrupt practices over the past two decades.

Professor Abubakar Siddique, of Ahmadu Bello University, lamented the North’s poor governance, attributing insecurity and other issues to leadership failures. He encouraged citizens to hold representatives accountable, suggesting legislative recalls as a means to awaken complacent politicians.

Siddique disagreed with the idea of burning forests, warning against environmental damage. Instead, he recommended leveraging intelligence gathering by prosecuting captured bandits to understand their operations better.

The conference commemorated Sir Ahmadu Bello’s legacy and offered a platform to reflect on Northern Nigeria’s history while exploring solutions for the region and the nation.

Dignitaries included representatives of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Professor Sani Bello, Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule (Vice Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum), and Malam Mande Faru, among others.