By Mary Agidi
The rate at which communities across Nigeria, both urban and rural, experience security breaches has become alarming and disturbing. The Nigerian government at all levels, as well as residents, appears overwhelmed by the growing wave of criminal activities ranging from kidnapping and banditry to armed robbery and burglary.
Recently, several kidnapping and banditry incidents were reported across Southwest Nigeria. While Northern Nigeria has for years recorded persistent banditry attacks, the menace has increasingly spread to other parts of the country. This disturbing trend portrays Nigeria as a nation grappling with serious security challenges, with President Donald Trump declaring the country as a “Nation of Particular Concern”.
In June 2026, suspected kidnappers abducted several pupils and teachers from a government-owned primary school in Oriire Local Government area of Oyo State. The incident was reminiscent of the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction of 2014, one of Nigeria’s most notorious school kidnapping cases.
The victims regained their freedom after about 56 days, although two male teachers were reportedly killed during their captivity.
Similarly, worshippers participating in an open-air Christ Apostolic Church crusade at Eda-Oniyo in Ekiti State were kidnapped in broad daylight and reportedly released after spending over 60 days in captivity, following an attack that tragically claimed the life of their church pastor and one captive.
Within the same period, about five armed men invaded Idogun community in Ose Local Government area of Ondo State in the early hours of June 5, 2026. They destroyed two buildings while attempting to kidnap the landlords but instead abducted an innocent nine-year old boy, who was released after spending 15 days in captivity.
As these incidents continue to occur, concerns have intensified over the effectiveness of government interventions in tackling insecurity.
Many Nigerians continue to question whether enough is being done to protect lives and property and address the root causes of criminality.
Government interventions in tackling insecurity
The agitation for the establishment of state police has persisted for several years as many stakeholders argue that decentralising policing would improve grassroots intelligence gathering and strengthen security at the community level. Although proposals for state police continue to receive legislative attention, the constitutional process has not yet been concluded.
Supporters believe state policing would help secure vulnerable rural communities, improve response time, and complement existing federal security agencies.
Security cooperation with the United States
Another notable effort by the Federal Government is its continued security cooperation with the United States in combating terrorism, particularly against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This collaboration focuses on intelligence sharing, military training, defence capacity building, logistics support and strategic security dialogue.
The two countries have also established a Joint Working Group (JWG) to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism, defence reforms and other security priorities. To further strengthen the collaboration, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, visited Nigeria in early July 2026, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials to advance the U.S.-Nigeria strategic partnership in security cooperation, the protection of Christian communities, justice sector reform and other areas of mutual interest.
Sanctions against terrorism financiers
In April 2026, Nigeria’s Sanctions Committee published the names of 48 individuals and entities designated for allegedly financing terrorism. The list included Bureau de Change operators, trading companies and other entities accused of supporting terrorist financing. The sanctions formed part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to disrupt the financial networks of terrorist organisations.
An online survey conducted by THE HOPE among respondents across Southwest Nigeria and Edo State identified kidnapping, banditry and cultism as the major security threats confronting their communities.
Most respondents rated the government’s response to insecurity as fair, acknowledging efforts such as increased police patrols, joint security operations, improved intelligence gathering and the activities of community-based security outfits, including the Amotekun Corps and local vigilante groups.
One respondent said, “The government has increased security patrols, deployed security personnel to strategic locations, encouraged community policing, strengthened intelligence gathering and promoted collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups. However, these efforts should be sustained and further improved to achieve lasting security.”
Respondents identified poverty, unemployment and weak governance as major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.
All respondents supported greater decentralisation of security architecture and advocated the establishment of a well-funded state police system, prudent management of security funds and wider deployment of technology-driven intelligence gathering to track criminal activities.
According to one respondent, “Security should be decentralised through a well-regulated system that allows states and local communities to play a greater role in maintaining security. This should be supported by clear legal frameworks, proper oversight, adequate funding and accountability to prevent abuse while improving local intelligence and rapid response to security threats.”
“Federal and state governments should strengthen intelligence gathering, equip and train security agencies, improve inter-agency coordination, secure the nation’s borders, create employment opportunities for young people, invest in education and economic development, support community policing, ensure the swift prosecution of criminals, and promote transparency and accountability in the use of security funds. They should also address the root causes of insecurity through inclusive governance and dialogue where appropriate,” another respondent advised.
Some respondents further advocated stricter penalties like immediate execution for convicted kidnappers and bandits to serve as a deterrent, while emphasising the need to create employment opportunities for young people.
Role of community leaders and traditional rulers
At a recent interactive session with journalists, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, stressed the need for communities to be more vigilant, noting that criminal elements often rely on information obtained from collaborators within communities.
According to him, some community leaders are allegedly compromised, receiving financial inducements from some herdsmen before granting them access to their communities, a practice that eventually boomerangs on the communities.
The police commissioner, therefore, urged traditional rulers and community leaders to exercise due diligence before accommodating unfamiliar persons and to promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Respondents in THE HOPE survey similarly advised traditional rulers and community leaders to intensify public sensitisation, strengthen local security structures, and closely monitor the movement of strangers into their communities.
One respondent observed, “Traditional and community leaders should serve as key partners in maintaining security by promoting peace, providing credible local intelligence, mediating conflicts, encouraging residents to cooperate with security agencies, discouraging crime and supporting community policing initiatives. Their influence and closeness to the people make them valuable in preventing and responding to security challenges.”
The respondent further noted that individuals also have important responsibilities.
“Individuals can help tackle insecurity by remaining vigilant, reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities, obeying the law, supporting community policing initiatives, avoiding the spread of misinformation and hate speech, promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperating with security agencies. Collective responsibility and active community participation are essential to improving security.”
Although the Nigerian government has introduced several measures to combat insecurity, including enhanced security cooperation with international partners, sanctions against terrorism financiers, and support for community policing initiatives, persistent incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes indicate that significant challenges remain.
Addressing insecurity requires a comprehensive approach involving stronger intelligence gathering, effective law enforcement, good governance, economic empowerment, active community participation and sustained collaboration among federal, state and local stakeholders.