KEY POINTS

• The Supreme Council for Shariah says insecurity has reached an alarming level across Nigeria.
• It cites recent attacks in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara, and over 1,000 northern kidnappings in Q1.
• The Council demands transparency in security spending and measurable results, not speeches.

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has raised alarm over the worsening security situation across the country, urging the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps against the escalating wave of killings, kidnappings, terrorism and banditry. In a statement by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the Council lamented that Nigerians wake daily to reports of violent crime despite repeated official assurances.

A crisis the Council says is worsening

According to the Council, the security crisis has reached an alarming level, and recent incidents in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara states expose the vulnerability of communities already battered by years of insecurity. Moreover, it cited the recent abduction of a retired Army General and his wife in Katsina State as further evidence of the growing reach of criminal gangs.

The Council also warned that many attacks in rural and underserved communities go unreported, which suggests the true scale exceeds official records. Furthermore, citing security monitoring and human rights groups, it said thousands of Nigerians have been killed, abducted or displaced in recent months, while more than 1,000 people were kidnapped across northern Nigeria in the first quarter of the year.

A demand for action, not rhetoric

The Council expressed disappointment that repeated appeals by traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society have yet to yield results. “Nigerians are tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees and official rhetoric that are not matched by concrete action and measurable outcomes,” the statement said. Therefore, it reminded the government that protecting lives and property remains a primary constitutional duty.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of military and security personnel, the Council said its criticism targets broader failures in leadership and strategy. In addition, it called for greater transparency in the management of security funds, arguing that citizens deserve to know how defense and intelligence resources are spent.

Consequently, the Council urged the government to adopt more innovative measures, including better intelligence gathering, modern technology, stronger inter-agency collaboration, deeper community participation and tighter border control. Ultimately, it warned against complacency, stressing that Nigerians now expect competent leadership and measurable progress in restoring peace across the country.