Nigeria now 4th global terror epicentre; Tinubu govt has failed – ADC

2026-03-19 - 18:44

By Luminous Jannamike The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says Nigeria’s position as the world’s fourth most terrorism-affected country in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 is a clear sign that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is failing to keep the country safe. For the party, this is not just another global ranking. It reflects what many Nigerians are already experiencing: more attacks, more deaths, and communities living in fear, often with little sense of protection or presence from those in charge. The position was contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who pointed to fresh data showing a steady rise in violence and its growing impact on civilians. “Against the deeply troubling backdrop of yet another deadly terrorist attack in Borno State, where dozens of Nigerians have been killed and many more injured, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reviewed the newly released Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, which delivers a clear and troubling verdict on the state of insecurity in Nigeria today. “Nigeria is now ranked the 4th most terrorism-affected country in the world. That is not an abstract statistic. It is a direct reflection of the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led APC government to secure the country,” Abdullahi said. According to the figures cited, attacks increased from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025. Much of the violence is concentrated in Borno State, which accounts for 67 per cent of attacks and 72 per cent of deaths. Civilians now make up 67 per cent of those killed, a sign of how exposed ordinary people have become. “At a moment when Nigerians are grieving and communities across the country are living under constant threat, Tinubu, his National Security Adviser, and the Minister of Defence are abroad. The contrast is clear: a country in crisis, and a leadership that is absent,” the party stated. The ADC also pointed to the continued activities of groups like Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, as well as the emergence of new actors such as Lakurawa, warning that the situation is evolving rather than improving. “Nigerians should take note of this moment. It raises a fundamental question about Tinubu and the APC’s priorities. At a time that demands focus, discipline, and urgency, the Tinubu government appears more concerned with pageantry, paparazzi, and propaganda, rather than real performance. “These outcomes point to something deeper than isolated security lapses. They reflect a breakdown in governance. The GTI identifies weak governance, internal instability, and economic hardship as key drivers of terrorism. That is not a political talking point. It is the assessment of an independent international body. “A government that is truly focused on protecting its people would demonstrate coordinated and visible leadership during crises, strengthen local security architecture and address the economic and social conditions that fuel recruitment into extremist groups. Instead, what Nigerians see is a leadership class that is more preoccupied with political positioning than with the urgent business of governance,” the ADC stated. Against this backdrop, the party said the country needs real structural changes, not just statements or promises. “First, we will fix coordination. Nigeria does not lack intelligence, it lacks coordination. Today, agencies operate in silos, warnings are missed, and response is delayed. The ADC will establish a legally mandated national intelligence coordination system, led by a Coordinator of National Intelligence, and a unified Joint Terrorism Task Force. The goal is simple: no more missed signals, no more confusion, no more excuses. “Second, we will bring security closer to the people. Nigeria cannot be policed effectively from Abuja alone. The ADC will implement a decentralized policing system with federal, state, and community layers, each with clear roles and national standards. This will ensure faster response, clearer accountability, and security that reflects the local realities of the 774 local government areas. “Third, we will shift from reaction to prevention. Today, Nigeria reacts to attacks after lives are lost. The ADC will build an intelligence-driven, preventive security system that is powered by data, early warning systems, and rapid response units in every state. Our focus will be to stop attacks before they happen, not merely respond after tragedy strikes,” Abdullahi added. The party warned that, without urgent reforms, the country could slip further into insecurity, leaving civilians to continue bearing the brunt of a crisis it believes is poorly managed.