A Nation in Crisis: Nigeria’s Unanswered Call for Action
Nigeria is in the midst of a deepening crisis, with armed groups responsible for thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, Amnesty International has documented 10,217 deaths at the hands of these groups, with Benue and Plateau states being the hardest hit. In Benue alone, 6,896 people have lost their lives, while Plateau has recorded 2,630 fatalities. The situation reached a grim milestone on June 13-14, 2025, when over a hundred people were killed in Yelwata, Benue, in a single night. Homes were torched, and thousands were displaced, yet no decisive government action followed.
This lack of response has not gone unnoticed by the international community. U.S. President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to alleged systematic violations of religious freedom. He warned that the United States might cut aid or even consider military intervention if mass killings of Christians continue. Nigerian officials, however, dismissed these claims, insisting that the situation on the ground does not reflect such concerns. President Tinubu emphasized that the constitution guarantees religious liberty for all citizens and that Muslims and Christians have long coexisted peacefully.
Despite these assurances, school kidnappings and church raids continue at an alarming rate. Over 25 girls were kidnapped from a school in Niger State, and more than 300 students and teachers were taken from St Mary’s School. In Kwara State, a church was attacked, resulting in deaths and abductions. While some abductees have been rescued, there is little clarity on how many of the perpetrators were arrested or killed during these operations. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State took credit for the rescue, but the details remain unclear.
The pattern of violence appears to be part of a broader strategy of terror and ransom. Analysts point to similar incidents across the country, including the 2021 kidnapping of 317 girls in Zamfara State and the abduction of 80 students from Federal Government College, Yauri. These attacks have led to ransom payments totaling N5bn, according to an SBM Intelligence report. Between July 2022 and June 2023, there were 582 kidnapping cases involving 3,620 people.
Churches have also become targets. The Owo massacre of 2022 remains a stark example, where nothing has been done to bring the perpetrators to justice. Although some individuals were arrested, there has been no full trial. This pattern of impunity continues to plague the nation.
In Borno State, Brigadier-General Musa Uba and his men were ambushed and killed by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province. Clashes between rival terrorist groups often end with government-brokered peace deals, but it seems that kidnappings are used as leverage for negotiations. This raises troubling questions about the government’s role in allowing such activities to persist.
When ordinary citizens attempt to criticize the government, they are often tracked. Some wonder why the government cannot arrest the kidnappers, who sometimes appear on live TikTok videos, boasting that nothing will happen to them. This has led to suspicions that the government is hiding something from the public.
There are also allegations that successive governments are under the influence of powerful cabals. These networks are believed to have helped leaders into power and use insecurity as a tool to maintain control. If this is true, it explains the government’s reluctance to act against the crisis.
Former President Jonathan made similar observations, suggesting that Boko Haram was used to remove him from power. The question remains: why does the government continue to watch as people suffer? Many believe that the government knows what is happening, even if it does not know the exact perpetrators. People are tired of pointing out problems without seeing any real change.
With accusations that foreign powers are involved in the instability, and shifting global politics leaving Nigerian leaders uncertain, the path forward is unclear. However, the APC government cannot afford to be remembered as the leadership that led Nigeria into perpetual decline. They must take decisive action, pursue the right individuals, and allow critics to speak freely.
Acceptance of criticism is a hallmark of good leadership. If the government cannot act, it should let Nigerians know and step down, as former President Jonathan did. The time for silence is over. The people need answers, and they need action.
