Nigeria Faces Communal Instability Over Security Issues

Dr. Abdullahi Bello, a senior lecturer at the Nigerian Defence Academy's Department of Intelligence and Security Science, warned that Nigeria could face deeper communal instability if collaboration among government, security agencies, and communities is not strengthened. He spoke at the 2026 North-West Conference on Community Security Management and Crime Prevention, organized by the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies.

The conference focused on the theme “Strengthening Community Security Partnership for Sustainable Peace, Crime Prevention and Good Governance in North-West Nigeria.” Bello highlighted the growing convergence of banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities, which he stated is overwhelming Nigeria's conventional security and intelligence architecture. He argued that effective crime prevention requires a partnership between the government, citizens, and security forces.

Bello referenced successful security models from countries like Rwanda and Kenya, advocating for community-level intelligence initiatives. He warned that ethnic-based security initiatives could exacerbate tensions, citing Nigeria's complex ethnic identities exemplified by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.