The Presidency has urged Nigerians, particularly those embarking on long-distance journeys, to avoid night travel and exercise heightened vigilance amid security concerns on some major routes across the North-Central region.

The appeal was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Dr Abiodun Essiet, who stated that recent security developments had necessitated greater caution by travellers and transport operators.

Essiet advised travellers to schedule their trips during daylight hours and remain alert throughout their journeys, stressing that safety should take precedence over convenience.

She also urged transport operators to consider suspending night trips until security conditions improve, noting that such measures would help reduce risks to passengers and motorists.

Meanwhile, prominent elders and stakeholders in Kwara North Senatorial District under the aegis of the Kwara North Development Commission (KNDC) have accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to halt escalating banditry and terrorism in the region, alleging that more than 1,200 people have been killed since 2023.

The group warned that unless urgent and decisive action is taken to restore security in the district, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks losing the goodwill and support of the people ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by the National President of KNDC, Alhaji Abdullahi Manzuma, and the group's Publicity Secretary, Hajia Zainab Seko, the stakeholders described the security situation as a "near-total collapse", claiming that hundreds of residents were also being held captive by bandits and terrorists.

According to the group, insecurity has devastated communities across the five local government areas of Baruten, Kaiama, Edu, Patigi and Moro, leaving residents displaced, farms abandoned and economic activities crippled.

"The region, once regarded as the food basket of Kwara, has become a shadow of itself due to incessant attacks by armed groups operating freely across vast rural territories," the statement said.

The stakeholders acknowledged the efforts of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in addressing the challenge, but maintained that the constitutional responsibility for securing lives and property rests with the Federal Government.

They further warned that unless confidence is restored through concrete security measures, it would become increasingly difficult for political leaders to mobilise support for the APC in future elections.

Also, the northern group, the Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has commended President Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State and deploying a specialised security team to rescue abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

In a statement by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the group described the President's intervention as a bold demonstration of leadership and commitment to tackling insecurity across the country.

"The approval of 1,000 forest guards by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a timely and strategic response to the growing security concerns in many parts of the country," Yakubu said.