Nigeria is facing one of its most dangerous periods in recent history, as fresh data shows the country has moved into the ranks of the world’s most terror affected nations under President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement by its publicity secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the African Democratic Congress raised the alarm, pointing to findings from the Global Terrorism Index that reveal a sharp increase in attacks and deaths across the country. According to the report, more Nigerians have been killed by terrorist violence during Tinubu’s time in office than at any other period on record.
Figures show that terror attacks have surged by 43 percent, rising from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025. The situation is especially severe in Borno State, which now accounts for most of the attacks and deaths nationwide.
Even more troubling is the growing number of civilian victims. Ordinary Nigerians now make up the majority of those killed, highlighting how vulnerable communities have become. Security forces, once the main targets, now account for a smaller share of casualties, showing a shift toward softer targets.
The ADC criticised the government’s handling of the crisis, saying the response has been slow and poorly coordinated. The party argued that while the country has access to intelligence, the lack of cooperation between agencies has allowed threats to grow unchecked.
It also questioned the leadership’s priorities, noting that while communities continue to suffer deadly attacks, the president has been absent at critical moments, raising concerns about commitment and urgency in addressing the crisis.
To tackle the problem, the ADC says Nigeria needs a complete overhaul of its security system. It called for better coordination among intelligence agencies through a central system that ensures information is shared quickly and acted upon without delay.
The party also pushed for a decentralized policing structure that brings security closer to local communities, allowing faster responses and better understanding of local threats.
Finally, it stressed the need to move from reacting to attacks to preventing them. By using data, early warning systems, and rapid response teams across all states, the ADC believes Nigeria can stop attacks before they happen.
As violence continues to rise, many Nigerians are left feeling unsafe, with growing calls for urgent and effective action to restore peace and stability across the country.
