By Oluwaseun Taiwo

Nigeria is once again in the grips of escalating violence. From the highlands of Plateau State to the forests of Zamfara and Borno, communities are caught in the crossfire of relentless terrorist attacks, armed banditry, and mass killings. The cycle of violence, marked by the emergence of new terror groups, mass displacement and civilian casualties, has left many wondering if Nigeria is losing its battle for peace and stability.

While insecurity is not new to the Nigerian landscape, the current wave feels different, more brazen, more widespread and increasingly complex. It reflects a deepening crisis that not only threatens national unity but endangers the very foundation of governance and societal cohesion.

Recently there has been a spike in violent incidents across the country.  For example, in Plateau State , on April 13, 2025, 56 people, including 15 children were killed  in the villages of Zike and Kimakpa, Bassa area by armed Fulani militants. The attack also left 9 people  injured, over 2,000 people displaced, and 103 houses completely razed. These attacks are part of a series of assaults that have plagued the region over time. More than 100 people have been killed in organized attacks on Christian villages in Ruwe, Bokkos, and surrounding areas since the beginning of the year 2025. Homes were burned, and many residents were injured or displaced, highlighting the persistent tensions between different ethnic and religious groups in the area.

Despite years of military operations, Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) continue to threaten peace in the Northeast. On April 12, 2025, a roadside bomb exploded under a passenger bus along the Damboa-Maiduguri highway in Borno State, killing eight people and injuring at least 15 others. Authorities suspect the bomb was planted by Islamic militants as part of their campaign to disrupt civilian movement and sow fear.

In Nigeria’s Northwest, the recent attack on Duruma village in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State by a group identified as “Mahmuda” has raised significant concerns about the evolving security landscape in Nigeria’s Northwest. While some media outlets have reported Mahmuda as a newly emerged terror group, researchers and analysts suggest that this group may not be entirely new but rather a rebranded faction of existing terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram or the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP).​ The terror group operate like hybrid insurgents heavily armed, highly mobile (using motorcycles), and targeting poorly defended villages. What makes this development more troubling is that it signals the rise of yet another violent actor in a region already plagued by armed banditry and communal violence. The increasing boldness of such groups reflects the vacuum of power in many rural communities, where traditional authority structures have collapsed, and security agencies are overstretched or absent.

In Zamfara and Katsina, armed bandit groups, originally dismissed as local criminal elements, have evolved into full-blown insurgents raiding villages, imposing taxes, and engaging security forces in direct combat. Across these regions, the impacts are devastating. Thousands are displaced, farmlands are abandoned, schools are shut, and local economies are crumbling. For many Nigerians, the promise of peace remains a distant dream.

Nigeria’s security crisis is driven by an evolving mix of violent actors. Boko Haram, despite years of military campaigns, continues to wreak havoc, especially in parts of Borno and Lake Chad. Its offshoot, ISWAP, has gained ground by recruiting disgruntled Boko Haram fighters and offering an even more radical ideology backed by international jihadist networks.

In the North-West, bandit groups have morphed into quasi-terrorist factions. These groups now operate with military-grade weapons, sophisticated communications, and apparent strategic objectives beyond financial gain. Their operations, including mass abductions and extortion of entire communities, mirror the tactics of insurgents rather than mere criminals. Worryingly, new terror factions are emerging. These groups are exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders and weak state presence in remote areas to consolidate power.

The implications of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis go beyond loss of lives. Entire communities are being uprooted, turning farmers into internally displaced persons (IDPs) and children into school dropouts. With agriculture disrupted in key producing regions, food insecurity is rising sharply. More dangerously, continued insecurity risks radicalizing a generation of disillusioned youth. Extremist groups have exploited poverty, marginalization, and poor governance to lure young men into their ranks with promises of power, income, and a sense of belonging.

Poverty and unemployment remain fertile ground for radicalization. Nigeria’s youth population, which should be its greatest asset, is instead left vulnerable due to high joblessness and disillusionment with the state. Ethno-religious divisions have also played a role. In regions like the Middle Belt, long-standing disputes over land between herders and farmers have taken on ethnic and religious tones, creating a tinderbox of tension. Climate change is another driver. Shrinking resources, desertification, and erratic rainfall have intensified competition for farmland and grazing areas, pushing pastoralists southward and fuelling clashes. Weak governance, corruption, and lack of accountability complete the picture. Security budgets are often mismanaged, intelligence sharing is poor, and many communities feel completely abandoned by the state.

It is painful to witness the repeated patterns of violence and silence. What is most frustrating is the seeming normalization of mass killings. When 50 people are slaughtered in one night, and the national response is a brief press release or a social media post, one cannot help but question the seriousness of our leaders.

Where is the urgency? Where is the empathy? Where is the accountability?

For years, government officials have promised reforms, new military strategies, and better intelligence. Yet here we are in 2025 still burying women and children in mass graves. The military is stretched, but worse still, the political will to change is paper-thin. Security has become a talking point for campaigns, not a duty of governance.

The truth is, Nigeria is bleeding not just from bullets, but from bad governance. Until there is political courage to confront corruption within the security sector, this crisis will continue. Enough of empty promises. Nigeria does not lack ideas; it lacks action. And the longer we delay, the more lives we lose, the more divided we become, and the harder it will be to fix this broken nation.

Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is not just a headline. It’s a daily nightmare for millions. The rise of violent groups and the failure to contain them is creating a nation on the edge. April 2025 has laid bare the seriousness of Nigeria’s security challenges. But while the bloodshed is heartbreaking, it is not inevitable. The road to peace is not easy. It demands political will, a holistic approach, and unwavering empathy for the people who suffer the most. Nigeria has what it takes to heal, to protect, and to thrive. The only question is whether its leaders are ready to meet the moment.