NIGERIA'SDEEPENING SECURITY CRISIS (2015–2025): TERRORISM, BANDITRY, KILLINGS, AND KIDNAPPING IN FOCUS

Over the past decade, Nigeria has faced an escalating wave of insecurity unlike any period in its modern history. From 2015 to date, terrorism, banditry, targeted killings, and mass kidnappings have evolved into a nationwide emergency. What began as a major counter-terrorism battle in the Northeast has gradually spread into a complex, multi-layered national crisis affecting nearly all regions. Despite numerous government efforts, military operations, and policy reforms, the threats have continued to grow more sophisticated and widespread.

A DECADE THAT RESHAPED NIGERIAS SECURITY LANDSCAPE

2015–2018: THE PEAK OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY

The decade began with Boko Haram controlling territories, attacking communities, bombing locations, and abducting civilians. Although the military reclaimed major territories around 2016–2017, the insurgency mutated rather than disappeared.

Splinter groups emerged, most notably the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which launched more coordinated and strategically calculated attacks. This period saw increased assaults on military bases, targeted ambushes, and mass displacement of civilians in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.

2018–2020: INSURGENCY EXPANDS AND BANDITRY EMERGES STRONG

By 2018, the insurgency had become more decentralized, with Boko Haram factions operating in smaller units. Meanwhile, the North-West witnessed the rise of large bandit networks. What started as clashes between farmers and herders transformed into full-scale armed banditry.

States like Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, and Niger became hotspots for coordinated attacks, cattle rustling, village raids, and mass killings. Forest regions such as the Rugu, Falgore, and Kamuku became safe havens for heavily armed criminals.

2020–2022: THE ERA OF MASS KIDNAPPINGS

Nigeria entered a new phase in 2020 when kidnappers began launching high-profile school abductions—Kankara, Jangebe, Afaka, Tegina, and many more. Hundreds of students were abducted in single operations, forcing communities to negotiate and pay huge ransoms.

Kidnapping expanded from rural attacks to highways, worship centers, and even urban areas. During this period, kidnapping became the most profitable criminal activity in Nigeria, with networks operating seamlessly across state boundaries.

2022–2023: WORSENING BANDITRY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Bandit operations intensified during these years, with villages being overrun, farmlands destroyed, and thousands displaced. Attacks on trains, highways, and airports further highlighted Nigeria’s security vulnerability.

In addition, politically motivated killings and clashes rose across several regions, especially during the election cycle. Many communities became caught between criminal groups, vigilante forces, and security agencies.

2023–2025: THE CRISIS BECOMES NATIONAL

From 2023 to date, insecurity has deepened across the country:

• Terrorists in the North-East continue to operate using ambush tactics and targeted killings.
• Bandits in the North-West and North-Central carry out large-scale raids and kidnappings.
• Gunmen in the South-East attack security operatives, public infrastructure, and civilians.
• Oil-related violence and kidnapping in the South-South continue to destabilize the region.
• Urban crime in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Delta escalates due to economic hardship and unemployment.

The decade has witnessed the spread of insecurity from isolated pockets to a widespread national challenge.

WHY NIGERIA'S SECURITY CRISIS PERSISTED (2015–2025)

Several factors have fueled the continuous escalation:

1. Fragmented counter-terrorism strategy across federal, state, and local systems.
2. Overstretched military dealing with multiple fronts simultaneously.
3. Weak policing capacity and inadequate manpower.
4. Corruption and mismanagement of security funds.
5. Porous borders enabling movement of arms and foreign fighters.
6. Economic hardship and unemployment, driving youth into crime.
7. Slow and ineffective justice system, failing to deter offenders.
8. Political interference in security operations.

These structural weaknesses have allowed criminal groups to evolve into powerful, organized networks.

THE WAY FORWARD

Experts recommend a combination of aggressive security reforms and socio-economic interventions:

• Deploy modern intelligence and surveillance technologies: drones, sensors, and AI monitoring tools.
• Strengthen and professionalize the Nigeria Police Force.
• Recruit and properly train more security personnel across all agencies.
• Increase investment in border control and regional intelligence sharing.
• Target the financial structures behind terrorism and banditry.
• Create large-scale employment programs in high-risk regions.
• Reform the judiciary for faster, more effective prosecution of criminals.

CONCLUSION

From 2015 to 2025, Nigeria’s security challenges have transformed from insurgency into a complex network of terrorism, banditry, killings, and widespread kidnapping. The human, economic, and social impact has been devastating, touching every sector and every region of the country.

However, with a strong political will, coordinated intelligence-driven operations, and sustained investment in community development, Nigeria can reverse the decade-long decline and reclaim stability. The next few years will determine whether the nation moves toward lasting peace—or deeper insecurity.