A recent report by Beacon Consulting has revealed a staggering surge in violence across Nigeria, with 13,346 people killed and 9,207 abducted since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, 2023. The report highlights a dramatic escalation in terrorism, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, and social upheaval, affecting 667 local government areas.
The situation has worsened in 2024, with 7,544 killed and 6,453 abducted between January and September. Experts are urging President Tinubu to take more decisive action to address the unending security challenges.
Security analysts attribute the crisis to a combination of factors, including economic hardship, corruption, and ineffective border control. “National security involves protecting your borders effectively,” said Nnamdi Chive, a security analyst. “The North-East and North-West borders need to be better controlled to prevent foreign elements from destabilizing local communities.”
While President Tinubu’s government has had some success, such as in Borno State, where displaced persons are beginning to return, experts argue that a more effective strategy is needed to address the adapting insurgents and the root causes of the crisis.
Colonel Yomi Dare, a security expert, emphasized the role of economic hardship and corruption in exacerbating the security crisis. “The current situation has been worsened by economic hardship. This has added to an already dire situation.”
The report’s findings and expert opinions highlight the urgent need for President Tinubu’s government to reassess and strengthen its approach to addressing Nigeria’s security crisis.