I have spent quality time reviewing the latest data on deadly attacks by terrorists in Nigeria. The report titled, “The economics of Nigeria’s kidnap industry and locust business” released last week Thursday by SBM Intelligence, Nigeria’s leading Data gathering and scrutinizing specialist, simply reconfirms that Nigeria is still very much under the servitude of terrorists. No fewer than 4,722 Nigerians abducted in 997 incidents across Nigeria between July 2024 and June 2025, while 762 were killed in related violence. That was the highpoint of the report.
SBM reports further: “The Northwest remains the epicentre, accounting for 425 incidents and 2,938 victims with Zamfara State recording the highest victim count (1,203), followed by Kaduna and Katsina. The region’s vast, weakly governed rural spaces and entrenched bandit syndicates enable mass terror operations.
“Mass abductions were overwhelmingly-northern, often involving villagers coerced to work on bandit-run farms and mines. The ransom proceeds transformed gangs into well-armed, resilient entities with funds recycled into weapons, motorcycles, intelligence networks, and recruitment of new members, fueling a cycle that is difficult to break.”
The number of Nigerians abducted and killed during the period reviewed by SBM will obviously be higher, considering the fact that the report was based on reported cases. Many cases of abductions and killings go unreported in beloved Nigeria. For me, the number of murdered Nigerians during the reviewed period could be as high as 10,000. But let’s work with the SMB report for this piece. Yes, SBM Intelligence did not say anything new. But it again, presented facts and figures to our National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, punching holes in all his theatrics about having degraded terrorists.
Clearly, Nigeria is not making progress in this war against terrorists. Forget about all those positive stats Ribadu often present. Our security chiefs have also been economical with the truth. President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in- Chief, has likewise been playing along. Ribadu needs to be reminded that this country is still very much in a mess with terrorism and that he should start giving President Tinubu the right security advice. That was what the SBM report did. The report also nudged security chiefs to raise their games against terrorists.
Just last Friday, 13 persons died in Danmaga and Tungar- Maigunya, both in Gummi LGA of Zamfara State, after the boat they crowded in order to escape an attack by terrorists sank in a river. On August 24, seven people, including children, were killed and eight others injured when terrorists attacked Angwan Rimi, a community in Kamaru Ward of Kauru LGA of Kaduna State. On August 19, no fewer than 13 people were killed by terrorists during morning prayers at Mantau, Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State. These are facts with figures. Terrorists still roam freely in many parts of the North-west, North-east and South-east. The security deceits in this country must end. I am particularly pained by the Ribadu-led trickery.
The biggest drawback to the war against terrorism in the last 16 years is the unending lies by security chiefs. These people, whose opinions and actions could have helped this country to tackle terrorism, have become merchants of lies, rolling out imaginary security achievements. Nigerians are sick and tired of endless killings by terrorists.
President Tinubu must end insecurity. He must fulfill the commitments he made to Nigerians in his May 29 2023 inaugural address “to frontally and courageously tackle insecurity.” Tinubu must provide a leadership that will swiftly end the slaughtering of innocent Nigerians across our cities, towns and villages. All the lies by his aides that the terrorists had been degraded must be pushed aside. Only the truth can set Nigeria free from the servitude of terrorists.