As Nigeria approached Eid-el-Fitr 2026, the anticipated celebration was overshadowed by fear and insecurity, particularly in the northern states. Once joyous holidays are now marked by threats of violence, with citizens increasingly doubtful of the government’s ability to protect lives and property. Many communities have effectively surrendered to bandits, paying levies to avoid attacks.
Despite a sweeping change in service chiefs and the appointment of Army General Musa (rtd) as Minister of Defence, security experts describe these moves as “movement without motion.” Allegations of secret negotiations with terrorists have deepened public mistrust, while corridors of power remain populated by suspicious elements.
Recent incidents highlight the pervasive insecurity across the nation. In Ibadan, nine people were reportedly kidnapped at the Cocoa Research Institute, CRIN, with ransom paid for only some of the hostages. Other reports show a grim pattern:
- Terrorists threaten to kill 32 abducted Kaduna villagers over N30m ransom.
- Bombings in Maiduguri prompt military chiefs’ intervention.
- Over N32.8 trillion spent on defence in 15 years yielded little improvement.
- 176 abducted victims in Kwara remain in captivity after 46 days.
- IED blasts kill nine in Kwara and Niger communities.
- Terrorist ambushes in Kebbi claim lives of soldiers and policemen.
By March 2026, about 3.7 million Nigerians were displaced across eight states, with Borno alone accounting for 46% of the total. Benue, Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, and Kaduna make up the remainder. This massive displacement has put Nigeria among the top ten nations globally with the highest number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ranks fourth on the Global Terrorism Index.
Critics argue that past policies, including amnesty granted to 30,000 “repentant” Boko Haram members in Borno, have backfired, inadvertently empowering militants to continue terrorizing communities. Efforts by some governors to negotiate or pay ransoms to bandits in Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna have similarly failed, sometimes even financing further attacks.
The nation’s descent into persistent insecurity has been driven not only by terrorist activity but by repeated failures of leadership. From presidential administrations to state governors and security chiefs, repeated acts of omission and misjudged decisions have allowed terrorism to flourish. Despite promises of compensation for victims and other measures, systemic failures have left citizens exposed to escalating violence and displacement.
Unless decisive action is taken to reform institutions, hold perpetrators accountable, and restore public trust, the cycle of terror and displacement is likely to continue, threatening both lives and national stability.
