Borno bombings expose security failures, Njoku slams government response

2026-03-19 - 12:13

By John Alechenu, Abuja Abuja-based engineer and public affairs commentator, Obi Njoku, has condemned the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, which left scores dead and many others injured. Reports indicate that multiple coordinated blasts struck crowded civilian locations, including markets and a hospital, killing at least 23 people and injuring over 100 others in what is believed to be a suicide attack. Reacting to the incident in Abuja, Njoku described the development as a “damning indictment” of Nigeria’s security architecture. “For years, Nigerians have been told that insurgency has been ‘technically defeated,’ yet terrorists still possess the capacity to strike at the heart of a major city like Maiduguri, once considered one of the most secure locations in the North-East,” he said. He questioned the safety of citizens, noting that if fortified cities are no longer secure, it raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures. Njoku further argued that the resurgence of attacks in Borno State highlights the government’s inability to fulfil its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property. “While Nigerians are burying their dead, the Federal Government continues to issue routine condemnations that have become predictable and ineffective. Condemnation is not leadership, and statements are not security,” he said. He criticised what he described as a reactive approach to security, stressing the need for proactive intelligence and preventive strategies to avert such tragedies. According to him, the attacks raise concerns about the efficiency of the nation’s intelligence network, inter-agency coordination, and the political will to decisively tackle insecurity. Njoku called on the Federal Government to acknowledge the worsening security situation and urgently overhaul its strategy, with greater accountability and transparency. He also urged authorities to prioritise the protection of citizens over political considerations, warning against the normalisation of mass killings. “The people of Borno State, and indeed all Nigerians, deserve safety, dignity, and a government that truly works for them,” he said.