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Insecurity: Nigeria Bleeding, Create Anti-terrorism, Banditry Units, Activist Tells Buhari

Published

3 years ago

March 30, 2022

Editor

Deji Adeyanju of the Concerned Nigerians advocacy group, has raised an alarm over the state of insecurity in Nigeria.

Adeyanju lamented that Nigeria is currently bleeding due to the activities of bandits and kidnappers.

He called for the establishment of a special anti-terrorism and anti-banditry unit.

Lamenting that the insecurity situation has overwhelmed the security agencies, the Abuja-based activist, noted that Nigerians can no longer travel safely by air, road, and rail.

The Abuja-based lawyer spoke in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of insecurity in Nigeria.

Citing the bandits’ attack on a train along the Abuja-Kaduna route, the activist said criminals have devised means of attacking Nigerians travelling across the country.

According to Adeyanju: “It is no longer news that Nigeria is presently being ravaged by insecurity, and Kaduna State is gradually becoming the capital of insecurity in Nigeria. As the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a one time resident in Kaduna, a city where you spent the bulk of your youthful days, it is imperative that we draw your attention to the carnage currently ravaging our country, as it appears that your aides do not bring these issues to your attention.

“Mr. President, Nigeria is bleeding. For some time now, bandits have taken over the entire North-West, North-East and North-Central Nigeria, while kidnappers are having a field day in the Southern part of the country. Sadly, the situation appears to have overwhelmed the nation’s security architecture. In an attempt to avoid being caught in the crossfire, citizens have often resorted to rail and air transportation. However, it appears that as the citizens’ device other means of staying safe, the criminal elements equally device other means of causing mayhem to innocent citizens.

“The resultant effect of these criminal acts is the recent attacks on the Kaduna airport and the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. As of today, the average Nigerian cannot travel by air, road or rail to Kaduna. The state has been literarily cut off from the country. Sadly, the security situation in Kaduna is just a reflection of what is happening in the entire country.”

The activist urged Buhari to take decisive action against bandits and criminals in the country.

He stressed that the security architecture and intelligence unit of the country have failed.

Adeyanju called on the President to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture.

“It is, therefore, time for you to take decisive actions, Mr. President. Our intelligence units have failed. Our armed forces are overstretched. The average Nigerian is left at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers. Sequel to the foregoing, we, therefore, call for the total reorganisation of our security units in order to effectively tackle the present insecurity.

“We suggest that a special anti-terrorism or anti-banditry unit be created. In addition to the foregoing, we suggest that an executive bill be immediately sent to the National Assembly with a view to amending the Constitution toward the creation of state police. Lastly, the government must address the root cause of the insecurity by providing employment and basic amenities for the average Nigerian.

“Mr. President, please remember that the protection of life and property is the government’s primary responsibility!

Related Topics:Deji Adeyanju Kaduna train attack

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Ghana Jails Three Nigerians For 96 Years Over Car Theft

Published

52 minutes ago

September 10, 2025

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A court in Ghana has sentenced three Nigerians to a combined 96 years in prison for stealing cars in Kumasi, Ashanti Region.

The convicts – Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze – were arrested on June 20 after being accused of stealing parked vehicles.

According to the Ashanti Regional Police spokesperson, Godwin Ahianyo, the suspects were taken to court on July 22 at Atasemanso, where they were found guilty of car theft.

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Tinubu, French President Macron Hold Private Meeting

Published

1 hour ago

September 10, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday met with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron.

Tinubu met Macron for a working private lunch at the Élysée Palace, Paris.

This was disclosed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, via X.

According to Onanuga: “President Bola Tinubu, with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, during a working private lunch at the Elysee Palace, Paris. Wednesday, September 10, 2025.”

At the time of filing this report, the agenda of the meeting had yet to be made public.

On September 4, Tinubu commenced his annual working leave.

He departed Abuja to commence his 2025 annual leave, which is expected to last for 10 working days.

During his leave, the president is expected to visit France and the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria.

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UN Report Places Nigeria 4th Globally In Attacks On School Children

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2 hours ago

September 10, 2025

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Nigeria has been ranked fourth among countries with the highest levels of “grave violations” against school children in armed conflict, according to a United Nations report.

The UN Secretary-General’s 2024 report on children and armed conflict, released in 2025, revealed that it verified 41,370 attacks — the highest number of grave violations against children in nearly three decades.

The violations, which include abduction, recruitment, and sexual violence, placed Nigeria behind Israel (and the occupied Palestinian territory), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Somalia.

According to the report, Israel recorded 8,554 cases of grave violations in 2024, followed by 4,043 in DRC, 2,568 in Somalia, 2,436 in Nigeria, and 2,269 in Haiti.

While non-state armed groups were linked to half of the attacks, the report noted that government forces were the main perpetrators of killings, maiming, attacks on schools and hospitals, as well as the denial of humanitarian access.

It further disclosed that attacks on schools surged globally by 44 per cent between 2022 and 2023, while the use of schools for military purposes rose by 20 per cent. Over 10,000 students and teachers were either killed, abducted, arrested, or injured during this period.

“These violations threaten not only individual lives but the future of entire communities,” the report said.

Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that children caught in conflicts are being “robbed of their childhood” as governments and armed groups persist in violating international laws.

The report also revealed that more than 3,000 children were detained for alleged involvement with armed groups, an increase from the previous year. Gamba urged governments to treat these children primarily as victims and explore alternatives to detention.

It recommended the full implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration, calling on countries to strengthen resilient education systems.

The report’s release comes ahead of a high-level event in Geneva to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

Nigeria, which endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2018, developed a policy on violence-free schools in 2021 and established the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre to oversee funding and coordination of security measures.

However, implementation has faced challenges, with the initiative’s enrollment rate reported at 11,000 by mid-2025.