“In every community, there is a class of people profoundly dangerous to the rest. I don’t mean the criminals. For them we have punitive sanctions. I mean the leaders. Invariably, the most dangerous people seek power” – Saul Bellow, 1915–2005.
Newspaper headlines were grim a day before the Eid-el-Fitr 2026. The end of Ramadan, once a period of joy, has become threatening and mournful across Nigeria. Fear of violence now shadows celebrations declared by government, while hope for relief continues to fade with each new terrorist attack. In many communities, citizens have resorted to paying levies to bandits, effectively surrendering authority.
The recent reshuffle of service chiefs and the appointment of a new Minister of Defence have been described by observers as “movement without motion.” Allegations of secret negotiations with terrorists have further deepened public distrust.
Reports across the country reflect the prevailing insecurity, including the kidnapping of nine persons at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan, where ransom was paid but not all victims regained freedom.
NEWS PANORAMA: FEEDING ON THE DAILY BREAD OF SORROW
“Terrorists threaten to kill 32 abducted Kaduna villagers over N30m ransom” – March 18, 2026
“Maiduguri bombings: Military chiefs arrive Borno after Tinubu’s directive” – March 18, 2026
“Insecurity: How Nigeria spent N32.8trn on defence in 15 years” – March 19, 2026
“Kwara massacre: 176 abducted victims still held after 46 days” – March 21, 2026
“Borno Government to shoulder medical bills, as Zulum visits Maiduguri blast victims” – March 21, 2026
“IDP camp residents to FG: If you can’t take us home, say it, stop pretending.” – March 21, 2026
“Nigeria recorded two world’s deadliest attacks [May 15 and September 5, 2025]” – March 22, 2026
“IED blasts kill nine in Kwara, Niger communities” – March 24, 2026
“Fanfare amid Borno bombings” – March 24, 2026
“Terrorists ambush troops, kill nine soldiers, policeman in Kebbi” – March 26, 2026
“How teenagers packaged bomb in flask to attack Borno hospital” – March 28, 2026
A March 19, 2026 report noted that Nigeria spent N32.8tn on defence in 15 years, yet recorded over 100,000 violent deaths since 2012. Multiple administrations and security leaderships have been implicated in what has become a prolonged national crisis.
A March 22, 2026 report, citing the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, ranked Nigeria fourth globally in terrorism, highlighting the persistence and expansion of violent groups since 2009.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
“For every folly of their princes, the Greeks feel the lash” – Horace, 65–8 BC
Nigeria’s security challenges have been linked to leadership failures across different levels of government over the years, including presidents, governors and security chiefs.
DISPLACEMENT FIGURES
As of March 2026, about 3.7 million Nigerians have been displaced. Eight states account for 3,341,000 (91%) of this figure:
Borno – 1,711,000 (46%)
Benue – 500,000 (14%)
Zamfara – 276,000 (8%)
Katsina – 244,000 (7%)
Adamawa – 218,000 (6%)
Yobe – 155,000 (4%)
Sokoto – 118,000 (3%)
Kaduna – 117,000 (3%)
These figures place Nigeria among the countries with the highest number of internally displaced persons globally.
Analysts note that displacement on this scale compares with the population sizes of several countries, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Nigeria currently ranks ninth globally in terms of internally displaced persons and fourth in terrorism.
The column argues that some state-level decisions, including negotiations, amnesty programmes and payments to armed groups, may have contributed to worsening insecurity in parts of the North.
It concludes that responsibility for the current situation lies largely with those in positions of authority, urging a more honest assessment of past and present leadership decisions.
