As Security crisis persists amid recurring attacks on communities by bandits and terror groups, security analyst, Dr Steven Okwori has raised concerns about poor responses of the government in tackling the menace.
He stated that political promises alone, without serious institutional reforms and proactive actions will not save lives.
In an exclusive interview with Pinnacle Daily, Okwori highlighted a dangerous gap between rhetoric and action, insisting that unless the government urgently overhauls intelligence, policing, and rural security, the country risks sliding further into chaos at a moment when public confidence is already fragile.
“You cannot talk about development without security. They go together,” Okwori stated. “Citizens are alive to benefit from democracy only when government protects lives and property. That is the primary responsibility of the state.”
A Deadly Start to 2026
The urgency of his warning is underscored by the staggering loss of life so far this year. According to national violence tallies and independent monitoring, over 1,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity since January 1, 2026. In just 41 days from January to February, at least 1,258 people were reported killed across the country due to terror attacks, banditry, communal clashes, kidnappings, and other criminal violence.
Among the deadliest incidents was the massacre in Kwara State, where coordinated attacks reportedly claimed close to 200 lives, while fresh assaults in Niger State killed at least 15 people, according to Amnesty International. Other attacks in Borno, Zamfara, and Benue further illustrate the widespread reach of insecurity.
“These are acts of terrorism,” Okwori said. “Whether we like it or not, that is what they are. Nigeria is now one of the most talked-about countries globally, not for innovation or economic breakthroughs, but for the manner in which its citizens are killed.”
He warned that daily bloodshed is eroding public confidence in governance and weakening the promise of democracy.
Broken Promises and Political Drift
Okwori expressed concern over what he described as a troubling abandonment of campaign promises.
“When they were campaigning from pillar to post, the manifestos were enticing. Nigerians believed change had come,” he said. “But since assuming office, those promises appear abandoned. If care is not taken, they may leave Nigeria worse than they met it.”
He stressed that while politics has its time, moments of national emergency demand singular focus. “There is a time for politics, and there is a time to secure the nation.”
Police Under Fire
Okwori highlighted the reactive posture of the Nigeria Police Force, which he believes has shifted from preventing and detecting crime to merely reporting fatalities.
“The mandate of the police is to prevent and detect crime,” he said. “But what we see today is the announcement of figures 50 killed here, 90 injured there, 10 abducted somewhere else. Reporting deaths has become the routine.”
The growing militarisation of internal security underscores systemic weaknesses. Across Nigeria, military-led operations now include Operation Whirl Stroke in the North Central region, Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, and Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West.
Okwori warned that reliance on soldiers for duties traditionally handled by police indicates the urgent need for structural reform in internal security.
Intelligence and Technology Gaps
Describing terrorism as asymmetric warfare, the security analyst explained that attackers often blend seamlessly into civilian populations, making detection extremely difficult. He emphasised that specialised counter-terror training and modern surveillance technology are essential.
“You may see a suicide bomber walking calmly past a checkpoint. Without intelligence expertise and technological tools, how do you identify that threat?” he asked.
He cited the 2020 rescue of an American hostage in northern Nigeria by United States Navy SEALs as an example of intelligence-driven precision, and highlighted the United States’ creation of the Department of Homeland Security after the September 11 attacks orchestrated by Osama bin Laden, noting that swift institutional reforms and international collaboration were key to preventing further attacks.
“They acted decisively and created structures that strengthened intelligence gathering and response systems,” Okwori said, noting that Nigeria must emulate similar strategies while adapting them to local conditions.
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The toll of insecurity is not confined to civilians. Between April 2021 and August 2022, over 750 Nigerian soldiers were reportedly killed in attacks on military bases, he said. Recent assaults in Borno State continue to highlight vulnerabilities even in fortified positions.
“This is not only about civilian casualties. The military and police are also paying with their lives,” Okwori said. “They are bleeding too.”
Rural Communities: The Overlooked Frontline
Okwori stressed that most attacks occur in remote communities with minimal security presence. By the time forces arrive, attackers have fled.
“Crime is local,” he said. “If we want to confront terrorism effectively, we must secure rural communities and adopt a bottom-up security approach rather than waiting for attacks to occur.”
Morale, Welfare, and Urgency
Okwori warned that security personnel are paying the supreme price with inadequate equipment and poor morale. He emphasised that government must match the sacrifices of its forces with training, tools, and welfare support.
“If you don’t want a lizard as a guest in your house,” he said metaphorically, “you don’t bring in termite-infested wood.”
He cautioned that without urgent institutional reform, and political will, Nigeria’s security crisis will continue to erode both public confidence and the promise of democracy.
For Okwori, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The mounting casualty figures in the opening months of 2026, he said, should serve as a wake-up call that incremental adjustments are no longer sufficient.
“And as I have said before,” Okwori concluded, “there is time for politics and there is time to save lives. This is the time to save lives.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
