Security experts have raised the alarm over the growing wave of insecurity across Nigeria, warning that it could trigger a severe food crisis if left unchecked. They are calling on the government to take urgent and decisive steps to address the resurgence of violence, particularly in the North Central and North East regions.
In Benue State, suspected armed herders recently attacked Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, killing 11 villagers and razing homes. The attack came on the heels of similar violence in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and other parts of the region.
Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South, disclosed that Boko Haram currently controls three local government areas in Borno State—Gudumbali, Marte, and Abadam. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, describing it as the “honest truth.”
The North West is also grappling with widespread insecurity, with reports of abductions and killings in Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states. Meanwhile, the South East has also witnessed growing unrest, prompting Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North) to urge the federal government to take immediate action.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, acknowledged the increasing tempo of attacks but reaffirmed the military’s commitment to tackling terrorism and related threats. He urged troops to stay focused and resolute in the face of mounting challenges.
Retired diplomat, Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode, advised the government to deploy more troops to vulnerable areas to prevent further violence and protect food production. He warned that continuous attacks during the farming season would worsen food shortages and hunger. He also suggested allowing responsible citizens to own licensed firearms for self-defense, but opposed state policing, citing risks of infiltration by criminal elements and potential abuse by state governors.
Former FCT Commissioner of Police, Lawrence Alobi, echoed these concerns and called on the government to take stronger measures to restore order. He urged the mobilization and proper equipping of security forces, and advocated for the formation of vigilante groups at the community level. Alobi referenced the South-West’s Amotekun Corps as a model for localized security efforts, recommending they be armed and properly trained under strict oversight.
Alobi also criticized the continued dominance of Boko Haram in parts of the country, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty and international image. He called for better synergy among intelligence agencies and urged national leaders to put aside ethnic and religious biases to confront the security crisis head-on.
Security analyst Madu Onuorah added that if the President is truly concerned about the insecurity, he should demand results from service chiefs within a specified timeframe or replace them. He questioned the effectiveness of continued high defense spending without corresponding improvements in security.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the justice sector have emphasized the importance of swift and fair justice as a tool to combat rising insecurity. During a two-day sensitization meeting in Abuja on the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Laws (ACJA/ACJL), they pointed to the slow pace of justice as a key enabler of crime.
Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), stressed that criminals often go unpunished, fueling public frustration and self-help justice. He urged the proper implementation of the NMS to strengthen the justice system, accelerate trials, and rebuild public trust.
Officials from both the Federal High Court and High Court of the FCT backed calls for a unified national standard in implementing criminal justice reforms. According to the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mr. Sulaiman Amida Hassan (represented by Mrs. Mimidoo Abako), recent updates to the NMS mark significant progress in the quest for a more effective justice system.
The consensus among experts and stakeholders is clear: without urgent, coordinated action on security and justice, Nigeria risks deeper instability and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
