Nigeria’s Security Crisis Demands Action, Not Summits

Nigeria is under siege. In May 2025, a relentless wave of violence has swept through Borno, Benue, and Plateau, claiming over 40 lives. Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP, have unleashed deadly assaults in Borno, deploying armed drones and roadside explosives. In Benue and Plateau, herder-farmer clashes and cattle rustling have fueled bloodshed, driven by ethnic and religious tensions. The United Kingdom’s High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, has called Nigeria’s security situation “worrisome,” pointing to spillovers from conflicts in Sudan and Niger. As the Senate proposes a national security summit, skepticism looms: Is this a step toward solutions or just political posturing?

A Month of Bloodshed

In Borno, the violence has been unrelenting. On May 7, Boko Haram attacked the Izge community in Gwoza, killing an army captain and a soldier. On May 12, the 153 Task Force Battalion in Marte was overrun, with armored tanks burned and ammunition seized—an attack that echoes the deaths of 22 soldiers in Malam-Fatori weeks earlier. The use of drones and explosives signals a dangerous escalation, exposing gaps in Nigeria’s military capacity.

In Benue, the herder-farmer conflict continues to devastate communities. Between May 9 and 13, at least 23 people were killed across Guma, Logo, Ukum, and Kwande. In Ukum’s Jootar town, eight farmers were slain on May 10, with attacks linked to tensions over land and resources, worsened by climate pressures and a lack of effective land-use policies.

In Plateau’s Riyom LGA, between May 12 and 14, at least 10 people were killed in retaliatory attacks sparked by cattle rustling and farm destruction. Over 100 cattle were lost, and several others were injured in communities like Dayan, Danchindo, Darwat, and Wereng Kam. These incidents underscore the persistent ethnic and resource-driven conflicts plaguing the region.

A Regional Crisis

The UK High Commissioner’s warning highlights a broader regional threat. Instability in Sudan and Niger has fueled the flow of arms and fighters across Nigeria’s porous borders, amplifying insecurity. The UK’s collaboration with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and investments in security infrastructure are welcome, but stronger regional cooperation through the Multinational Joint Task Force is critical to stem cross-border threats.

The Senate’s Summit: Action or Theater?

On May 6, the Nigerian Senate resolved to hold a two-day national security summit to address the crisis, following a motion led by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Senate President Godswill Akpabio tasked an ad hoc committee with organizing the event, but doubts persist. The Federal Government, through Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, has prioritized a new military strategy over the summit, arguing it’s more urgent. Past summits have produced reports that gather dust—any new effort must deliver a clear, time-bound action plan with measurable goals, such as increased funding for intelligence and border security. Given the ethnic and religious complexities of Nigeria’s insecurity, inclusive representation from affected communities is essential to ensure legitimacy.

A Path Forward

President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to end the violence in Borno, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara, emphasizing community involvement and coordination with state governors. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s “total war” approach focuses on enhanced intelligence, regional cooperation, and curbing small arms proliferation. An effective strategy must go further: strengthening intelligence to preempt attacks, fostering community-led peacebuilding, and tackling root causes like poverty and land disputes. Without accountability for military abuses and inclusive governance, Nigeria risks perpetuating this cycle of violence.

The Stakes

Nigeria’s security crisis demands more than summits or rhetoric—it requires decisive action. The bloodshed in Borno, Benue, and Plateau is a call to overhaul the national security framework. The government must act swiftly to restore hope, proving its resolve is stronger than the forces tearing the nation apart.