Amid a surge in violent attacks across northern Nigeria, a civil society organisation, the Coalition for Peace and National Security, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sack the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and all service chiefs, citing their failure to tackle the escalating security crisis.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the group expressed alarm over persistent banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. It accused the country’s top security officials of gross incompetence despite sustained federal investment in defence and internal security.
“Our citizens are under siege, and those charged with their protection have failed woefully,” the group said. “We can no longer pretend that the situation is under control.”
The coalition presented three major demands to the Federal Government:
Immediate dismissal of security heads: The group labelled the current security leadership as ineffective and incapable of delivering results.
Comprehensive reform of the security architecture: They advocated for modern surveillance infrastructure, improved intelligence operations, and better coordination among agencies.
Establishment of state police: Urging a shift to community-based policing, the group called for expedited constitutional amendments to enable states to establish and control their own police forces.
The coalition’s demands follow a wave of deadly attacks in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states in recent weeks. Bandits have repeatedly targeted schools, rural communities, highways, and farmlands—displacing thousands and disrupting education and farming.
Despite repeated government assurances, the violence has continued unabated. The group said the deteriorating situation has eroded public trust in national security agencies, with citizens increasingly resorting to self-defence or fleeing their homes.
As of Sunday, there had been no official response from the Presidency regarding the coalition’s demands. While President Tinubu previously vowed to tackle insecurity decisively, critics argue that the government has yet to make significant headway in reversing the trend.
Frustrated citizens have taken to social media and street protests to voice their anger and demand accountability, warning against mere leadership reshuffles without structural reforms.
The coalition cautioned that unless urgent steps are taken, the country may witness a further collapse of internal security systems.
“If nothing changes, criminal networks will continue to exploit weak security structures, and Nigerians will be left to defend themselves,” the statement read.
Nigeria has long grappled with overlapping security threats—from Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast to armed banditry, herder-farmer clashes, and widespread kidnappings elsewhere. The Tinubu administration has increased defence spending, but concerns remain about corruption, poor coordination, and lack of political will.
Security analysts warn that without decisive leadership and systemic reform, the country risks becoming even more vulnerable to non-state actors.
