Worsening Insecurity, Recurring Jailbreaks in Nigeria: Symptoms of A Fragile/Failed State?

A Recap of The Security Dynamics in Nigeria: The 2021 Fragile States Index (FSI) ranks Nigeria as the 12th 'most fragile state in the world' out of the 179 countries appraised. Recall that Nigeria occupied the 14^th position in 2020. Put this statistically, in 2020, the fragile states index (FSI) for Nigeria was 97.27. It increased from 94.4 index in 2006 to 97.27 index in 2020, growing at an average annual rate of 0.23%. According to the Fragile States Index powered by the United states-based Fund For peace, State fragility manifests itself in various ways such as: ‘’The loss of physical control of its territory or a monopoly on the legitimate use of force; The erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions; An inability to provide reasonable public services; The inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community’’. The Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum reportedly asserted recently that Nigeria is ranked 146 out of 166 crisis-stricken nations’ ranking on kidnapping, banditry, and forms of criminalities. 

936 Students Abducted From Nigerian Schools In Six Months

At least 936 students of secondary and tertiary institutions were abducted by suspected bandits and Boko Haram members across the country between December 2020 and June 5, 2021.

Insecurity: UK Warns Citizens Against Travel To 21 Nigerian States

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom has warned British nationals against travelling to about 21 states in Nigeria over security concerns.

Zamfara Bandits Better Equipped Than Nigeria Military, Says Governor Yari

Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari on Tuesday raised the alarm that the armed bandits terrorizing the state and other states in the North West have more sophisticated equipment than the Nigerian military.

United States To Designate Nigeria ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Incessant Killings

Against the backdrop of incessant killings in Nigeria, particularly the predominantly Muslim herdsmen slaying Christian farmers, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended to the US government that Nigeria should be designated as a “Country of Particular Concern”, CPC.

150 Nigerians Killed In Cross River State Communal Clash

No fewer than one hundred and fifty people have been confirmed dead after a three-day war between two communities in Cross River over land dispute.

Gunmen Kill Another 3 Police Officers, Kidnap 4 Telecoms Staff in Lagos State

Barely four days after three police officers and an army captain were killed by armed persons in Lagos, another three police officers have been killed in a different Lagos community.

US, UK, Canada Warn Citizens Against Travelling to Kaduna, Borno, Adamawa, Others

The United States and United Kingdom have warned their citizens against travelling to several states in Nigeria, including Kaduna, where international flights will be diverted to as from March 8, 2017.

The travel warning follows a recent announcement by the Federal Government of the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for six weeks due to repairs on its runway.

Other countries that have issued similar warnings include Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Bakassi Strike Force Militants Clash With Kidnappers in Cross River State, 10 Feared Dead

A bloody clash between a militant group known as the Bakassi Strike Force (BSF), active in the Bakassi Peninsular of Cross River State and Kidnappers has claimed about 10 lives.

Insecurity, Carnage in Nigeria: How 600 Nigerians Were Killed in 27 Days

ON December 31 of every year, many people troop to religious and prayer houses where they thank God for the ending year and supplicate for better tidings – good health, long life, prosperity and other favours in the new year. Many people outline a litany of lofty goals they want to actualise in the coming year. They top it up with exchange of goodwill wishes and messages with friends and family. No matter how old, instant death is furtherest on the minds of most people. Even those who are ill expect to get well in the new year. Less than 30 days into 2017, the Nigerian polity is littered with untimely and aborted dreams. No fewer than 600 people, across the country, have had their lives violently terminated in their prime, according to Vanguard checks.

Herdsmen Killed 808 People in Southern Kaduna Attacks in Nigeria, Says Catholic Church

The leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State has disclosed that a total of 808 people were killed in 53 villages across the four local governments areas in the state ridden by crisis.

Giving a statistics of the killings and destruction in a statement in Kafanchan, the church leaders said 57 people were injured while farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion were also destroyed.

Vigilance! Another Fleeing Boko Haram Terrorist Arrested in Abuja

Few days after a Boko Haram Commander was arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos State, a man believed to be one of the fleeing members of the Boko Haram sect has been arrested in Abuja.

Herdsmen Attack Abia Communities

BARELY three weeks after a community in Arochukwu council of Abia State was invaded and attacked by Fulani herdsmen, another community, Ozu Item in Bende council was again attacked with scores of farmers sustaining life threatening injuries.

Gunmen Kill Four Miners, Including A Chinese In Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria

Gunmen on Monday ambushed and killed four workers of a mining company, including a Chinese at Alongani village in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria.

Gunmen Kill 50 Gold Miners in Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria

Unidentified gunmen yesterday invaded Bindin village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing over 50 informal gold miners.

Nigeria Police Arrest 487 kidnap Suspects, Rescue 350 Victims in Four Months

The Nigeria Police says it arrested 487 kidnap suspects and rescued 350 victims in the last four months of 2016.

Security Agencies Issue Kidnap Advisory To Govt Officials, Politicians; Suspected Kidnappers of CBN's Wife Arrested

Sequel to increase in kidnappings in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services have issued a security advisory to top government officers and prominent Nigerians in the country.

Militants Attack Hospital in Imo State, Burn Several Vehicles

Angry youths from restive commu­nities of Ohaji/Egbema Local Govern­ment Area of Imo State yesterday went wild and invaded Imo State Gen­eral Hospital, Umugwu­ma, setting, at least, 10 vehicles ablaze as well as the state office of Envi­ronmental Transforma­tion Commission (EN­TRACO).

Lawmaker Kidnapped In Kaduna, North-Central Nigeria, Abductors Demand N70m Ransom

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly Kidnapped a sitting member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, one Honourable Ibrahim Samaila representing Tudun Wada Constituency.

Jungle Justice: 8 Polytechnic Students Lynched In Zamfara State Over "Blasphemy Against Islam"

No fewer than eight persons were killed on Monday in Talata-Mafara community in Zamfara following violence that erupted over alleged blasphemy by a student of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara. Sources said the attackers broke into a house where the alleged culprit was hiding for safety, and set him ablaze together with his seven friends, completely razing the house to the ground.