NICK DAZANG examines Nigeria’s deepening insecurity and the recent declaration of a state of emergency by the President Tinubu administration, highlighting the systemic failures, challenges and the urgent need for practical, long-term solutions
Insecurity, leadership failure
The bad omens were there. It did not require the gift of foresight to realise that the country’s heightened insecurity would eventually erupt, culminating in the declaration of an emergency. For more than fifteen years, insurgency, banditry and terrorism have held Nigeria in a grip of fear, yet successive administrations (from Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari and now Bola Ahmed Tinubu), failed to treat these heinous crimes as existential threats to the nation.
Instead of confronting these malevolent acts head-on, governments opted for piecemeal approaches. Terrorists were often coddled or dealt with lightly, and offers of foreign assistance were sometimes dismissed. Up to last week, when schoolchildren abducted in Kebbi State were rescued, the Nigerian government continued to negotiate with terrorists, spending millions of naira on ransom. These funds then fuel further abductions, the acquisition of sophisticated weapons and recruitment of new terrorists.
Our security agencies, which should be fully equipped with modern technology, are forced to rely on outdated tools, leaving them vulnerable. Terrorists now use drones for reconnaissance and precise attacks, while our personnel struggle with inadequate resources and training.
Across the country, there are insufficient police posts, vehicles and operational infrastructure. A BBC report from Papiri, Niger State, where over 300 students were abducted from a Catholic school, highlighted the absence of functional security presence. This scenario is replicated in many other areas.
Calls to prioritise security have gone unheeded for years, despite clear knowledge that no meaningful economic, agricultural or educational progress can occur in a climate of chaos. Our governments have failed to protect the lives and properties of citizens, pushing the country perilously close to state failure.
The emergency, its limitations
Even with a state of emergency declared, questions remain over whether such measures will effectively resolve the nation’s security challenges. Reports indicate that over 100,000 policemen are deployed to protect VIPs, yet only about 11,566 personnel have been withdrawn to serve in general security operations.
Recruitment drives for new armed forces personnel are essential, but even in a crash program, it will take at least six months to recruit, train, equip and deploy additional personnel. Meanwhile, terrorists are likely to continue their operations to sustain their criminal enterprises.
Success in combating terrorism is only possible if security agencies are properly equipped, motivated and empowered. Recent abduction incidents revealed glaring deficiencies in operational readiness. The government must urgently address these gaps and allow security leaders to articulate their needs freely.
Since the inception of insurgency, Nigerian terrorists have demonstrated agility and sophistication, forming alliances locally and internationally. Groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, Lakurawa and Mahmudda have leveraged international ties and technological expertise to strengthen their operations. Intelligence infiltration of security agencies remains a grave concern, demanding vigilance and enhanced professional capability.
Protecting schools: A proactive approach
It is deeply concerning that every time schoolchildren are abducted, schools are closed in reaction, inadvertently increasing Nigeria’s already high number of out-of-school children. This approach also grants terrorists a strategic victory, reinforcing the ‘Boko Haram’ objective of denying education.
Proactive measures are needed. A dedicated department—such as the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps—should be tasked with school protection. More trained guards must be deployed to vulnerable and remote schools. When terrorists recognise that schools are secure and can trigger rapid reinforcement, they are likely to reconsider attacking them.
The state of emergency is necessary but must be paired with decisive action: robust equipping of security agencies, intelligence-led operations, community collaboration and targeted protection of educational institutions. Without these steps, the emergency will remain a symbolic declaration rather than a transformative solution.
Dazang, OON, a retired Director of Education and Publicity at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), writes from Abuja via nickdazang@gmail.com