Banditry Crisis Weakens Nigeria's State Structure, Report Warns
A new policy analysis has issued a stark warning that Nigeria's escalating banditry crisis is gradually weakening the country's state structure. The report highlights how rampant insecurity is fueling a decline in public trust while simultaneously strengthening the influence of non-state armed groups across the nation.
Political Leaders Criticize Government Response
In response to this alarming assessment, prominent political figures have voiced sharp criticism of the current administration. The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, directly criticized President Bola Tinubu, pointing to what he describes as a clear leadership failure in addressing the security challenges.
Similarly, former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has charged the President to move beyond what he calls hollow rhetoric. He is urging the Federal Government to take more decisive and concrete steps to effectively tackle the pervasive insecurity plaguing various regions.
Report Details Escalating Threat
The comprehensive report, authored by Joshua Odey and Ndu Nwokolo of the public policy research group Nextier, was released recently. It notes that what initially began as a localized security challenge in certain areas has now evolved into a widespread nationwide threat with severe implications.
Banditry is evolving into a self-reinforcing cycle driven by state fragility, weakening public trust, and the growing influence of non-state armed groups, the report stated emphatically. It further explained that the crisis, which was originally concentrated in the North-West region, has now spread to parts of the North-Central and North-East, adversely affecting states such as Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Taraba.
Alarming Statistics Highlight Crisis
Providing detailed data from its 2026 security outlook, Nextier revealed that Nigeria recorded a staggering 599 banditry incidents in 2025 alone. These attacks resulted in 2,742 casualties, marking a sharp and concerning rise from the previous year.
In 2024, there were 256 incidents with 1,585 casualties. This represents a 134 percent increase in attacks and a 74 percent rise in deaths, underscoring the rapid deterioration of security conditions across the country.
Specific Incidents Undermine Presidential Promises
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Peter Obi recalled President Tinubu's recent assurance to victims in Jos that such violent attacks would not recur. This experience will not repeat itself—another presidential promise fails in less than 24 hours, he wrote pointedly.
The former governor of Anambra State noted that shortly after Tinubu visited victims in Jos on April 2 and pledged future prevention, a fresh attack reportedly occurred in Nyamgo Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area. This incident resulted in further casualties, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability.
Obi further emphasized the spread of insecurity to other parts of the country, citing disturbing incidents in Nasarawa, Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Kaduna states. He stressed that the government's primary duty to protect lives and property is not being adequately fulfilled, leaving citizens in constant fear.
Atiku Calls for Urgent Action
Atiku Abubakar, in a post via his official X handle, expressed deep concern that recent violent incidents appear to directly contradict assurances earlier given by the President following the AngwanRukuba attack. I wish to remind President Tinubu to keep to his words that this will not repeat itself, he stated.
It does appear that those words are hollow because barely 72 hours later, another attack in Benue claimed over a dozen lives. The Commander-in-Chief should brace up to the challenges of governance, Atiku added, calling for more robust leadership.
The former presidential candidate also raised the alarm over troubling developments in a community in Nasarawa State, where residents reportedly fled their homes due to fears of further attacks. Calling for urgent and immediate action, Atiku urged the President to move decisively beyond mere rhetoric.
Enough of this hollow rhetoric, Mr President. It is time to fold your sleeves and get to work, he asserted firmly. He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims of these relentless attacks, acknowledging the human cost of the ongoing crisis.
