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The resurgence of insecurity in Anambra, Imo, Benue and other states is worrisome and must be quickly addressed by the government. In Anambra State, gunmen carried out deadly attacks in Nawfia and Lilu communities in Njikoka and Ihiala local government areas of the state, respectively. In the Afor Nawfia market incident, about four people were killed by the gunmen.
Similarly, the gunmen attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church, Isiokwe, Lilu and killed about five people and burnt some of the properties belonging to the church. Despite the promise by the Anambra State Police Command to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice, nobody has been arrested in connection with the heinous attacks. Similarly, the Imo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for armed men, suspected to be herdsmen, who attacked and abducted a motorist at Amala Community in Ngor Okpala local government area of the state.
The spokesman of Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye, said the Imo State Police Command and other security agencies have launched an intensive operation to apprehend the hoodlums behind the attack and abduction of motorists at Ngor Okpala on December 7, 2025, and rescue the kidnapped victims. Also, in Kogi State, gunmen recently killed one person and abducted 20 worshippers at First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ayetoro-Kiri, Kabba-Bunu local government area of the state. Gunmen also abducted three young men in the Ihunmudumu area of Ekpoma local government area of Edo State. Two of the victims were said to be students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
The upsurge in insecurity in many parts of the country is disconcerting. Despite investments in security, it is regrettable that insecurity is still rife in some parts of the country, including Anambra and Imo states. The governments of Anambra, Imo and other states affected by the renewed killings and violence must rejig their security architecture and take proactive measures to protect their citizens.
Although the security of the lives and properties of citizens is the specific responsibility of the federal government, the state government must also react in some ways to secure the lives and properties of its citizens in their respective states. The efforts of the state governors must complement the efforts of the federal government.
The proposal for a state police is laudable, but it must be seamlessly implemented. The federal government should no longer pay lip service to issues of security while Nigerians are being killed daily by hoodlums.
In most cases, these criminals are never apprehended. Thus, the killings all over the country have become intractable, defying all efforts to checkmate them. No doubt, one of the greatest threats to democracy, the rule of law and equitable living in Nigeria in recent times could easily be traced to the activities of terrorists and bandits, leading to loss of lives. It is a battle which the federal government, in collaboration with the state governments, must win.
However, the alleged corruption within the country’s security outfits is a major challenge in fighting insecurity in the country. The police and the military should be transparent in fighting insecurity.
A situation where bandits, terrorists, and gunmen are apprehended but released is condemnable and unacceptable.
The federal government must, as a matter of urgency, equip the police and the military for effective combat and war against terrorism. Drones must be deployed in fighting insurgency as it is done in other countries challenged by insecurity. The police and military forces should also be proactive. There are flashpoints of insecurity across the country, and security forces should know them.
Undercover secret policing and intelligence gathering are also required. Local vigilante groups can also help because they understand the local terrain and would easily identify strangers in the area. The federal and state governments must leave no stone unturned in fighting insecurity because the socio-economic impact would inevitably cripple the country if it goes unchecked.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), not less than 600,000 deaths from insecurity were recorded between May 2023 and April 2024.
About 614,937 people were killed nationwide. The North-West recorded the highest figure with 206,030. The North-East recorded 188,992 and the South-West had the least with 15,693 deaths. The federal government must do everything possible to decimate the terrorists, bandits and other criminals attacking and killing Nigerians.
