Nigeria's Fourth Republic Faces Escalating Security Threats, Expert Analysis Reveals

Nigeria's Fourth Republic is under immense security threats including weak institutions, ethnic and religious tensions, corruption, poverty, and unemployment. The country experiences a range of challenges such as militancy, communal and ethno-religious violence, and insurgencies like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

The rise of banditry in the north-west and secessionist movements in the south-east further strain the security apparatus. The roots of these issues trace back to historical events like the Maitatsin Movement in the 1970s, which laid the foundation for extremist ideologies.

Dr. Kabiru Adamu, the Managing Director of Beacon Consult, highlights the complex socio-political factors driving these security crises, emphasizing the failure of governance at various levels to address underlying issues effectively.

The report from the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) in 2025 ranks Nigeria among the top ten most insecure nations globally, reflecting the worsening security conditions. The country's military capacity is stretched thin, battling multiple interconnected threats across different regions.