The resurgence of terrorist attacks

The resurgence of terrorist attacks in some parts of the country in recent times has led to the death of 15 persons, including a Pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Katsina and Plateau states. Similarly, no fewer than seven persons were killed in an attack on Channel One in Ukemberagya/Tswarev Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attacks in Katsina led to the death of 11 persons in Gurbi Village of Kankara Local Government Area on Sunday April 26. The event occurred the same day gunmen killed Pastor Ayuba Choji of ECWA, alongside his wife and two children in Gako Village, Rim Ward of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. The assault on Benue State, which occurred in the early hours of April 27, 2026, left seven people with serious injuries.

On Tuesday, April 28, residents of Eda Oniyo Ekiti, headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State were jolted as gunmen invaded their community, killing one person and abducting several others. The incident occurred when the suspected bandits attacked worshippers during a crusade organised by a church in the community.

Also, no fewer than 30 traditional rulers across the southern area of Kwara State have fled their palaces following the sustained wave of kidnappings, killings and violent attacks in the area. The monarchs were said to have relocated to urban centres, including Ilorin, Osogbo, Offa, and Lagos. The flight by the traditional rulers came amidst resurgence of terrorist attacks and kidnapping in the southern and northern senatorial districts of the state. Recent reports put the number of people so far murdered in the areas between January 2025 and March 2026 at over 400. In the Woro community of Kaiama Local Government Area alone, 176 people were murdered in one single attack. Many are still in the kidnappers’ den.

We recall the March 29, Palm Sunday terrorist attack on Jos, Plateau State in which over 30 residents were killed. Other parts of the country are not spared the murderous activities of terrorists and gunmen. The growing insecurity underscores the need for the government to rise to the occasion.

The rising incidences of killings and abductions by terrorists across the country are condemnable. We equally condemn the rising cases of abduction of Nigerians for ransom. It is unfortunate that Nigeria’s insecurity is worsening with each passing day. The worsening insecurity underscores the enormity of the security challenge in the country. It appears the bandits are having the upper hand in the war. Their relentless attacks in recent times remain a source of great concern.

We urge the security agencies to step up the game and decimate the terrorists. Let the security agencies find a new approach to curb the incessant killings and abduction of Nigerians. The security agencies should take the war to the abode of the terrorists and deal with them ruthlessly. There is need for the government to rejig the war against the terrorists and bandits. This is why the government should take another look at granting amnesty to terrorists. New strategies need to be evolved to check the rising tide of insecurity in the country.

Tackling insecurity also entails strengthening the country’s border security measures to prevent infiltration of criminal elements from neighbouring countries. Nigeria has large stretch of porous and poorly policed borders, leaving criminal elements to stream into the country unchecked. Statistics indicated that there were about 1,500 identified land border crossings into Nigeria, with only 114, covering 4,000 square kilometres, having approved control posts manned by merely 23,000 Immigration Officials and other security agencies.

Nigeria also has international land borders of about 4,470 km (2,513 miles) with Chad Republic, Cameroon, Benin and Niger and a coastline of 774km which are largely unmanned. These are the loopholes criminal foreign elements exploit to slip into the country. Tightening the land borders will drastically reduce the influx of foreign invaders. The Police and other security agencies should rise up to their responsibilities in this respect.

The situation also requires the cooperation of our neighboring countries. The provisions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty on Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment, should not be enough reason for questionable characters to be allowed access into the country. Their entry and movement within the country should be monitored and controlled.

Foreigners should not be allowed to constitute threats to the sovereignty of the country. No efforts should be spared in halting the influx of terrorists and bandits into the country. Only the government should have the monopoly of instruments of coercion. On no account should terrorists be allowed to have foothold in the country. This is the time for the military and relevant government agencies to tackle the menace of insecurity across the country.