Insecurity: Killings Persist Three Months After State Of Emergency Declaration

Police say things are improving, residents disagree

By Tarkaa David, Abuja,  Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja, Attah Anthony, Jalingo, Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin, Abu Nmodu, Minna, Kamal Ibrahim, Bauchi

Three months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security, killings and abductions of hapless Nigerians have yet to subside.

In fact, there appears to have been an aggravation of terrorist activities, as more Nigerians have been abducted or killed within the period.

President Tinubu had, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.

The move was aimed at halting mass abductions and killings in several parts of the country by terrorists and bandits.

He had said, “Our administration will support state governments that have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.”

The President also called on the National Assembly to “begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.”

He further ordered large-scale recruitment across Nigeria’s security services, directing the police to enlist an additional 20,000 personnel, bringing the ongoing recruitment cycle to 50,000.

President Tinubu also authorised the conversion of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps into temporary police training depots and directed that officers attached to VIP protection be withdrawn for immediate crash retraining before deployment to security-challenged areas.

He empowered the Department of State Services (DSS) to deploy trained forest guards to flush out terrorists and bandits hiding in forests and instructed the agency to recruit additional operatives to reinforce the operation.

“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” he declared.

The President commended security forces for securing the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and 38 kidnapped worshippers in Kwara State, adding that efforts were ongoing to rescue remaining hostages, including students abducted in Niger State.

Addressing the Armed Forces, Tinubu praised their courage and urged them to remain resolute.

“There must be no compromise, no collusion and no negligence. The Nigerian people are counting on you,” he said.

However, since the declaration, the spate of killings and abductions appears to have escalated, though security agencies insist they are on top of the situation.

For instance, the Defence Headquarters said it had begun massive deployment of Special Forces and equipment to remote areas.

The Nigerian Army also claimed it deployed additional Special Forces to Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa and Taraba states to strengthen operations against insecurity.

According to the military authorities, these measures have led to the elimination of scores of terrorists, including some of their leaders.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, recently disclosed that several terrorist leaders had been killed, while others surrendered to troops in various theatres of operation.

He said troops in January alone killed scores of terrorists, arrested more than 270 suspects and rescued 230 kidnapped victims during operations across the North.

Among those eliminated, according to the Defence Headquarters, was Munzir, also known as Baa Yanziye, alongside others during air strikes. Additionally, 34 terrorists were arrested within two weeks of operations in the North-East.

A terrorist leader identified as Yakubu Adamu also reportedly surrendered to troops with arms and ammunition in the Azir Wajiroko general area.

Troops further arrested 34 suspects and rescued 17 kidnapped victims, among other operational successes.

 

Insecurity Threatens Southern Taraba Residents

In Taraba State, there appears to be no end in sight to killings, ambushes and violent attacks on innocent people and communities, particularly in the southern part of the state.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that, almost daily across affected communities, residents of Southern Taraba are fleeing for safety, while cases of rape and theft of valuables are reportedly rife.

Beyond the killings, findings reveal that houses and farm produce have been burnt, with perpetrators allegedly occupying deserted communities.

The situation, which has become almost a daily occurrence, has left many homeless, communities abandoned and scores killed in what residents describe as coordinated attacks on local farmers.

Efforts by our correspondent in Jalingo to speak with the Commander of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the state Commissioner of Police were unsuccessful.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, did not respond to calls and messages, while the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said he was not authorised to comment.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), CSC Samalia Iliya, acknowledged that the Nigerian Army remains the lead agency in Operation Safe Jalingo.

The Corps spokesman said the operation was established at the peak of insecurity in the state.

CSC Iliya, who stood in for the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Anthony Bala Bitrus, said the command was working round the clock in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure peace and coexistence, particularly in the southern part of the state.

“All agencies are working together to ensure that the state is safe and peaceful.

“In the past year, there have been arrests of kidnappers and other security threats in Jalingo. There have also been arrests and neutralisation of bandits in Chanchagi ward of Takum, as well as in Karim-Lamido and Wukari local government areas.

“Though I am not competent to speak extensively on that because operations are conducted on two fronts — Operation Whirl Stroke oversees operations in Takum, especially Chanchagi — I can assure you that some of the perpetrators have been neutralised or arrested.

“The NSCDC participates in all federal operations in Taraba, which are coordinated by the Nigerian Army.

“In recent days, we have recorded incidents of banditry and ethnic clashes in the southern part of the state, but with the deployment of security operatives, the situation has been brought under control.

“As of today, most local government areas are adequately secured and crime has significantly reduced, except in two local government areas.”

He thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for providing logistics support, noting that the successes recorded were the result of collaboration among security agencies.

 

…Over 80 Killed, 90,000 Displaced in Taraba Attacks

The Catholic Diocese of Wukari has called for urgent humanitarian intervention following violent attacks that have left over 80 people dead and displaced more than 90,000 residents since September 2025.

Speaking after a peaceful protest in Jalingo, the Vicar Pastoral, Very Rev. Fr. James Yaro, described the violence as devastating, particularly in Chanchanji Ward of Takum LGA, as well as parts of Ussa and Donga LGAs.

He alleged that suspected militia were responsible for attacks that destroyed more than 200 communities and churches.

“The attacks usually occur in the early hours when people are asleep. The attackers kill indiscriminately, burn houses and destroy harvested produce,” he said.

He cited a recent attack in Mchia village where over 10 persons were reportedly killed at about 4:00 a.m. on February 10, 2026.

Fr. Yaro called for urgent deployment of additional security personnel, prosecution of perpetrators and inclusive dialogue to restore lasting peace.

He warned that if adequate protection is not guaranteed, the Diocese may seek international intervention.

 

Kwara: 231 Kidnapped, 171 Killed by Bandits

Kwara State in the North Central zone appears to have become a new epicentre of terror and bandit attacks.

In recent times, no fewer than 231 persons have reportedly been kidnapped across the state.

During the period under review, about 170 residents of Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area were killed by terrorists. A member of the Forest Guards was also killed by bandits in Koro community in Ekiti Local Government Area.

Notably, 35 worshippers were abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Another 176 residents were kidnapped in Nuku and Woro communities of Kaiama Local Government Area.

Similarly, six construction workers were abducted in Owa Onire district of Ifelodun LGA, nine persons were kidnapped in Adanla community in the same local government area, while five others were abducted along the Omu-Aran–Isanlu Road.

Although some victims have regained freedom, the 176 abductees from Kaiama were still in captivity as of the time of filing this report.

 

…Displacement, School Closures

As a consequence of the attacks, about 2,080 pastoral families were displaced in Oro-Ago, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

They were forced to flee following security clearance operations aimed at dislodging criminal elements terrorising Oro-Ago and surrounding communities.

During the operations, aerial bombardments reportedly destroyed pastoral settlements, leading to large-scale displacement, destruction of homes and loss of livestock.

The displaced families appealed to the Kwara State and Federal Governments to urgently intervene to facilitate their safe return, reconstruct their homes and restore their livelihoods.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that bandit activities led to the closure of 57 basic education schools in Kwara South at the height of the crisis. The State College of Education, Oro; the Kwara North campus of Kwara State University, Malete; and the Federal Government College, Ilorin, were also temporarily shut.

However, the institutions have since reopened following reported improvements in security in their host communities.

 

Security Agencies Respond

As part of efforts to safeguard the state, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara, Mr Bala Bawa Bodinga, disclosed that the corps would henceforth provide security in mosques and churches on Fridays and Sundays.

“We have also put measures in place to protect critical national assets, as well as the lives and property of the people of Kwara State.

“Our men will be deployed on night patrols to ensure 24-hour security across the state,” Bodinga said.

The Coordinator of the Joint Security Watch for Kwara South, Elder Oyin Zubair, said the security situation in the district was improving.

According to him, “President Tinubu’s intervention appears to be yielding results, with the military launching Operation India to tackle terrorist attacks in Kwara South. The operation involves the deployment of a battalion of troops to affected areas, and security agencies are working together to create a safer environment.”

However, many residents insist the situation is far from stable.

Some who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend expressed frustration over continued attacks. While acknowledging government efforts, they maintained that more must be done to flush out criminal elements from the state.

 

Security Agencies Should Be Proactive, Not Reactive — Abdullahi

A community leader and National Coordinator of the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, called for a drastic increase in the deployment of military and police personnel to effectively combat banditry.

“Criminals are taking advantage of the absence of police posts in the hinterlands to wreak havoc on the people. With more personnel, equipment and facilities, supported by newly trained forest guards, the insecurity problems we are facing in Nigeria will reduce drastically.

“As the nation’s leadership continues to commit enormous financial resources annually, insecurity also continues to rise. Several factors are responsible, one of which is the reactive posture of our security forces.

“It is long overdue for us to subdue the enemies of the people and the state. Regardless of their sponsors, they cannot overrun this country if our security forces work effectively with the resources at their disposal. Our security forces must take the fight to these miscreants proactively instead of reacting to carnage,” he said.

The Senior Special Assistant on Security to the Governor, Alhaji Muhideen Aliyu, said the state government was leaving no stone unturned in its determination to rid Kwara of criminals.

He said that, beyond recruiting and training about 2,000 forest guards, the government was also prioritising the welfare of local vigilantes assisting security operatives.

Muhideen disclosed that the Presidency had deployed full Army brigades to Kwara North and Kwara South, the areas most affected by banditry.

 

He added that Governor AbdulRazaq remained in constant communication with the Presidency and the Office of the National Security Adviser to bring an end to bandit activities in the state.

 

Over 60 Killed in Niger Since Declaration of Emergency

Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security last year, no fewer than 60 people have been killed and more than 100 abducted in various locations in Niger North.

 

In November last year, shortly after the release of Papiri School children and staff, bandits abducted about 30 villagers in December and killed three others.

 

In January, bandits killed an octogenarian and abducted scores in Borgu community near Agwara.

 

Similarly, 45 villagers were reportedly killed at Kasuwan Daji market in Borgu LGA, with several others abducted.

 

In Mariga and Magama, bandits attacked communities, killing 10 persons and abducting several others.

 

Fight Against Insecurity Records Gains in Kogi

Since the declaration of a state of emergency on security by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there have been reported gains in the fight against terrorists in Kogi State.

 

Although pockets of kidnapping for ransom persist, security agencies say significant progress has been made in dislodging bandits from their hideouts.

 

Officials could not immediately provide figures of terrorists killed, but they stated that a substantial number had been neutralised.

 

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said security forces recorded a major breakthrough in sustained offensives against criminal elements.

 

According to him, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade overran a notorious terrorist enclave linked to kingpins Kachalla Ibrahim and Shu’aibu.

 

He said the operation, led by Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi, led to the recovery of over 2,000 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition and a box of high-velocity grenades.

 

After securing the enclave, troops destroyed and set the camp ablaze to prevent its reuse.

Fanwo said the state government was collaborating closely with security agencies in ongoing clearance operations, adding that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remained committed to ending criminality through aggressive and preventive strategies.

To strengthen operations, the state government recently shut markets and motor parks in the western senatorial district and temporarily closed schools across the state.

While some residents describe the move as necessary, others worry about its economic and social impact.

 

Security Boosted in Bauchi — Police

The Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi State has attributed recent security gains to the emergency declaration, saying it has strengthened ongoing efforts to maintain peace.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafi’u Habib, said intensified surveillance, strengthened community policing and improved inter-agency cooperation had yielded results.

“We have clamped down on Sara-Suka thuggery and positioned rapid response teams strategically across the state,” he said.

Residents in Alkaleri and Ningi commended security operatives for visible patrols and prompt responses, noting that markets and farms now operate without fear.

The Bauchi State Government is currently recruiting over 2,000 vigilantes to further boost security.

 

Another Traditional Ruler Killed in Ondo

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists killed the traditional head of Agamo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Kehinde Falodun.

 

He was reportedly attacked in his palace and abducted. Sources said he was macheted after resisting the abduction, and his body was later found nearby with gunshot wounds.

 

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident and vowed to apprehend the perpetrators.