The year 2024 began with a strong commitment from security agencies to tackle the escalating security threats nationwide. The Armed Forces of Nigeria launched a series of operations across five critical regions—North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East—in an effort to restore peace and stability. However, despite these efforts, insecurity remains a persistent challenge across the country
In 2024, the Nigerian military announced the identification and pursuit of 106 notorious terrorist leaders, including Simon Ekpa, a prominent separatist leader believed to be hiding in Finland. These individuals are accused of involvement in violent insurgencies and destabilising the country. Some of the terrorists on the list have been killed in battle, while others have been captured and are in custody. However, there are still many who remain at large, operating in the bushes and continuing their campaign of terror against Nigerian citizens. The military’s ongoing operations aim to track down and neutralise these individuals to restore peace and security in the country.
As the year comes to an end, the security forces said at least 8,034 terrorists have been killed, 11,623 suspects arrested, and 6,376 hostages rescued in year 2024.
Troops recovered 8,216 weapons and two hundred and 211,459rounds of ammunition.
Military operations led to the recovery of stolen products worth ₦57,052,218,551.00.
The Military Command among other things demanded mitering of pipelines and other measures to increase crude production following Presidential directive.
“These actions have contributed to a rise in crude oil production, reaching 1.8 million barrels per day, aligning with the President’s mandate to eradicate crude oil theft,” says the Director Defence Media operations Major General Edward Buba.
Despite these efforts, reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that Nigerians paid ransom of over N2.2trn in the year 2024.
According to the report, 2.2m Nigerians were kidnapped while 614,937 were killed in the same year.
Brig Gen Sani K Usman (Rtd) said speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend commended troops efforts against criminal elements, particularly terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
He however said the staggering figures reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) emphasised the persistent and severe security challenges facing Nigeria.
These figures reflect the ongoing struggles the country is grappling with, particularly related to terrorism, insurgency, and armed conflict. Despite the military’s efforts to combat these threats, the data underscores the scale and impact of insecurity on everyday life, including the displacement of communities, loss of lives, and the economic burden of dealing with such instability. The situation highlights the need for continued, coordinated efforts from both security forces and the government to address the root causes of violence and restore safety across the nation.
“While I question the credibility of the methodology used to arrive at these alarming statistics, the figures nonetheless shows that there is the urgent need for a strategic focus by not only security agencies, but the various tiers of government and other stakeholders in the coming year, 2025,” he said.
He, therefore, called on security agencies and governments to in the coming year prioritise the following measures:
“First, there is a need to enhance intelligence gathering and sharing. Strengthening intelligence networks is essential to preempt and disrupt criminal activities. Additionally, fostering collaboration between security agencies and local communities will help gather actionable intelligence critical for proactive operations.
“Second, the integration of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches should be prioritised. While military offensives remain vital, they must be complemented with strategic non-kinetic measures by the federal and state governments such as dialogue, community engagement, and socio-economic interventions. Addressing the root causes and triggers of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social grievances—will provide long-term solutions to recurring conflicts.
“Third, community policing and civil engagement are critical. Scaling up community policing initiatives will bring security operations closer to the people, fostering trust and responsiveness. Empowering local vigilante groups, under the supervision of law enforcement, can further improve security outcomes.
“Fourth, improving responses to kidnappings and abductions should be a key focus. Developing a robust anti-kidnapping strategy that leverages technological innovations like GPS tracking and drone surveillance will enhance effectiveness. Rapid response teams must also be prioritized to rescue abductees and dismantle criminal networks.
“Fifth, capacity building and the welfare of security personnel cannot be overlooked. There is also the need to increase the number of the various security forces. Investments in the training and re-training of personnel will equip them to handle emerging security threats. Additionally, improving welfare packages will boost morale and help curb internal corruption within the ranks.
“Sixth, leveraging technology and data should be a cornerstone of security operations. Advanced surveillance systems, biometrics, and artificial intelligence can be utilised to monitor and track criminal activities. Establishing a centralized database of crime statistics and suspects will further enhance inter-agency collaboration. This called for better collaboration between the various security agencies and coordination of their activities by those statutory responsible for that.
“Seventh, the government should pay more attention to rural and marginalised areas especially those at the border. Increasing the security presence in underserved regions where criminals often operate freely is essential. Development projects that integrate these regions into the national security framework will also help address underlying socio-economic disparities.
“Eighth, regional and international collaboration is vital. Strengthening cross-border partnerships to combat transnational crimes such as arms smuggling and terrorism will bolster national security efforts. Joint operations and intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries and international organisations are equally important. Nigeria should continue to engage and collaborate with our neighbouring countries like Benin, Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic. Additionally, it should collaborate with other nations to ensure peace on the African continent.
“Ninth, the country’s criminal justice systems must be reviewed to ensure effectiveness. Arrested criminals should be promptly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others. Addressing delays and gaps in the judiciary is necessary to maintain the rule of law,”.
He added that public awareness and trust-building are critical in overcoming the security challenges.
“Strategic communication campaigns should educate the public on security measures and how they can contribute to national efforts. Transparency and accountability in security operations will help rebuild trust between the populace and security agencies.
However, one sure way of mitigating some of these security challenges is the refusal to pay ransom to kidnappers. This is easier said than done because we have to create an enabling environment for that bold resolve. Nonetheless, adopting these measures, the government and the security agencies can make significant progress in reducing violence and fostering peace and stability across Nigeria in 2025. Compliments of the season and happy prosperous new year in advance,”.
