Press Statement: insecurity

LAWYERS ALERT CALLS FOR STRONGER SECURITY SYSTEMS AMIDST RISING KILLINGS, ABDUCTIONS AND CHAOS IN NIGERIA

Lawyers Alert expresses deep concern over the rising wave of banditry and mass

abductions across Nigeria following recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump

suggesting possible military intervention in the country. Trump’s designation of Nigeria

as a “Country of Particular Concern,” and his framing of the situation as a “Christian

genocide,” have drawn global attention but, according to emerging evidence, may also

have emboldened violent groups operating in the northern region.

The fresh wave of attacks were reported between 22 and 25 November 2025 in

Northern States of the country, during this period, it was reported that 303 students and

12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, 25 Muslim

schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi State, with a security officer killed, Dozens abducted

from a church in Eruku, Kwara State, 11 residents, including women and children,

kidnapped in Kwara State and 64 others abducted in Zamfara State.

In a recent response by the government, the Secretary to the Government of the

Federation, Sen. George Akume had linked these attacks to comments made by the US

President. He noted that the comments have served as confidence to the armed groups

with the intent of gaining global visibility. These comments were further reaffirmed by

analysts who noted that the increased attention given to such groups serves as an

opportunity to escalate such attacks.

While Trump's comments have increased the level of media attention, the attacks and

security crisis in Nigeria have existed for over a decade with thousands killed. It was

reported that in the first six months of 2025 over two thousand persons were killed by

bandits and insurgents.

Attacks have also led to the kidnap of at least 3,620 persons between July 2022 and

June 2023 according to reports, with ₦5 billion in ransom. This data shows that the

nation is overwhelmed by violent criminal networks that have increased over the years

with high level sophistication.

Nigeria’s insecurity is complex and criminal, not simply religious. Both Christians and

Muslims, farmers and herders, women and children are victims. Narratives reducing the

sorry state of affairs to “Christian genocide” are, at best, inaccurate. It is a blend of

economic, political, ethnic and religious considerations currently being exploited from

within and outside the country as vested interests clearly benefit from the ensuing

chaos.

Foreign threats of unilateral military intervention risk turning Nigerian communities into

battlegrounds for external geopolitical agendas. Nigeria requires support, not threats,

from international partners. The primary responsibility to protect lives and ensure safety

rests with the Nigerian government.

Recommendations

Lawyers Alert urges the Federal Government to adopt a proactive, intelligence-led

security approach by strengthening early-warning systems, disrupting bandit camps,

and protecting schools through a fully funded Safe Schools plan and rapid-response

measures. The organization also calls for the prosecution of bandit financiers and

regular public updates on arrests and seized assets.

We further advocate for stronger community policing, strict human rights compliance

during security operations, and international support strictly on Nigeria’s terms,

welcoming intelligence and training but firmly rejecting foreign combat troop

deployment.

ABOUT LAWYERS ALERT

Lawyers Alert is a non-partisan human rights organisation headquartered in Makurdi,

Benue State, committed to democracy, rule of law and the protection of women and

other vulnerable groups. We document human rights violations, provide free legal

services, and run community-based security initiatives, including a community policing

project in Guma and Katsina-Ala LGAs, some of the areas hardest hit by violence.