By Barr. (Dr.) Nurudeen Idris Marafa
12 May 2026
Terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have evolved into Nigeria’s most deadly and pervasive crimes, with the killing of innocent citizens and mass abductions now a daily reality. These non-state actors have grown so sophisticated that they sometimes overpower military forces, raising urgent questions about their source of weapons.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s security landscape, the author recalls that in the 1980s, armed robbery—personified by notorious figures such as Anini and JB—was the most heinous crime. By the early 2000s, kidnapping emerged in the Niger Delta, where militants primarily targeted foreign oil workers for ransom. Although that wave began as an agitation for resource control and environmental justice—led by genuine activists like Ken Saro-Wiwa, later executed during the Abacha era—the Yar’Adua government’s amnesty programme eventually yielded positive results.
Under President Goodluck Jonathan, terrorism intensified in the North with Boko Haram’s insurgency, including bombings and the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014. The insurgency gradually morphed into banditry and kidnapping during the Buhari civilian administration. Under President Bola Tinubu, the situation has worsened dramatically. Regions once known for peace, such as Kwara State, now live in fear. Kwara North has suffered the worst, including the recent Woro massacre in Kaiama Local Government, which claimed over 200 lives, with 176 women and children still in captivity. Boko Haram/ISWAP claimed responsibility and released a video of the hostages speaking in English, Hausa and Bokobaru, pleading for government intervention.
Borno State, which had recorded a gradual reduction in insurgency and was rebuilding between 2024 and 2025, has witnessed fresh bombings and the abduction of over 400 people—mostly women and children—in Ngoshe community around March 2026. Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto have also recorded severe terrorist incidents this year.
What baffles many is the audacity of these terrorists, who operate unmasked social media handles, display and celebrate ransoms collected, and torture victims online without concealing their faces. This brazenness raises fundamental concerns: Are terrorists overpowering security services? Is Nigeria sliding into failed state status and anarchy?
The facts are stark. Terrorists have seized control of territories including the Sambisa Forest and parts of Borno. The Birnin Gwari axis along the Kaduna Road has become a no-go area. Borgu communities spanning Kaiama and Baruten LGAs of Kwara State, New Bussa in Niger State, and parts of neighbouring Benin Republic are now dominated by terrorists. The Kainji Lake National Park forest reserves, once a relaxation centre, have become a terrorist den. Several communities in southern Kwara have been deserted due to banditry and kidnapping.
The critical question remains: Who sponsors terrorism? The primary objectives are economic gain and territorial control. Religious justification is untenable, as no religion preaches unjust killing. The actors fall into three categories: sponsors (cash or logistics), informants, and field operatives. The most dangerous are sponsors and informants, who often live among the populace undetected. Without them, field operations cannot succeed. This is a call to cut off the snake’s head.
The author prays and hopes that Nigeria will overcome these daunting security challenges, enabling citizens to sleep peacefully and move freely without fear.
Idris Marafa is a lawyer, writer and public affairs analyst.