A recent report by a firm specializing in security risk management,Beacon Consulting, had said that between May and December 2023, 5,802 people were killed, and 2,754 were kidnapped.
The situation escalated further in 2024, with 7,544 deaths and 6,453 abductions recorded between January and September.
According to the PUNCH, it was reported that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, Nigeria has experienced a significant increase in violence, with 13,346 people killed and 9,207 abducted across the nation.
The alarming rise in insecurity, which spans 667 local government areas, has been linked to terrorism, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and other social unrest.
Security experts have expressed deep concern over the persistent challenges and are calling on President Tinubu to adopt more decisive measures.
“The security crisis is severe,” said Nnamdi Chive, a security analyst
“Economic hardship has only exacerbated the problem, compounding an already grave situation.”
At a security and peace summit hosted by the North-West Governors Forum in Katsina State in July, President Tinubu referred to the ongoing insecurity, particularly in the North-West, as “inherited security compromises.”
He attributed the surge in banditry and insurgency to historical injustices faced by conflict-affected communities. However, experts argue that more effective strategies are urgently needed.
Chive underscored the importance of bolstering border security, stating, “National security involves protecting your borders effectively. The North-East and North-West borders need to be better controlled to prevent foreign elements from destabilizing local communities.”
Assessing President Tinubu’s approach since taking office, Chive acknowledged some successes, such as the return of displaced persons to Borno State. However, he warned that insurgents are adapting by shifting their operations to new areas.
Colonel Yomi Dare, another security expert, highlighted the role of economic hardship and corruption in worsening the crisis.
“The current situation has been worsened by economic hardship. This has added to an already dire situation,” he said.
As the violence continues to escalate, the pressure mounts on the Tinubu administration to find lasting solutions to Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
