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Nigeria Under Siege: Insecurity, State Failure and the Dangerous Normalisation of Violence

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Nigeria Under Siege: Insecurity, State Failure and the Dangerous Normalisation of Violence.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

 

“When Kidnapping, Bloodshed and Government Indifference Become the New Normal.”

 

Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads, and one where insecurity has become routine, violence has been normalised and governance appears increasingly detached from the lived realities of its citizens. While the nation is not officially at war, the scale of killings, abductions and economic devastation inflicted by criminal networks rivals that of countries in active conflict. What makes Nigeria’s situation particularly tragic is not only the persistence of violence, but the disturbing sense of resignation with which it is treated by both the state and, increasingly, the public.

According to SBM Intelligence, a leading Nigerian security and risk analysis firm, at least 1,056 Nigerians were killed between July 2023 and June 2024 in kidnapping-related incidents alone. Within the same period, 7,568 people were abducted and kidnappers demanded over ₦10.9 billion in ransom, a significant portion of which was paid by desperate families and communities. In a separate but related report covering July 2024 to June 2025, SBM Intelligence recorded 4,722 abductions, 762 deaths, and ₦2.57 billion actually paid as ransom.

 

These are not SPECULATIVE FIGURES. They are verified, conservative estimates, the numbers that already paint a horrifying picture of a country under siege by criminal enterprises that operate with alarming confidence and impunity.

 

A State Losing Its Monopoly on Violence.

The German sociologist Max Weber famously defined the state as an entity that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory. By this classical definition, Nigeria is in profound trouble.

 

Across vast swathes of the country (particularly in the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South-East) armed groups now determine who lives, who dies and who moves freely. Highways have become hunting grounds for kidnappers. Rural communities are routinely attacked, their inhabitants displaced or murdered. Schools are shut down, farmlands abandoned and entire local economies destroyed.

 

Security analyst Dr. Bulama Bukarti has repeatedly warned that Nigeria is facing a crisis of state authority, noting that “when non-state actors can repeatedly challenge the state without consequences, the legitimacy of government itself begins to erode.” This erosion is no longer theoretical; it is visible in daily Nigerian life.

 

The Ransom Economy: Crime as an Industry.

Perhaps one of the most damning indicators of Nigeria’s security collapse is the emergence of a ransom economy and a parallel criminal industry that thrives because the state cannot protect its citizens.

Nigeria Under Siege: Insecurity, State Failure and the Dangerous Normalisation of Violence.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

SBM Intelligence describes kidnapping in Nigeria as “an organised business model”, complete with negotiators, surveillance networks, informants and logistics chains. The billions of naira paid in ransom annually are not abstract numbers; they represent drained life savings, sold properties, ruined futures and families permanently traumatised.

 

Economist Dr. Muda Yusuf, former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, argues that “the cost of insecurity in Nigeria goes beyond ransom payments; it includes lost investments, food inflation, unemployment and declining national productivity.” In effect, insecurity has become a tax on citizenship, one paid disproportionately by the poor and vulnerable.

 

The Moral Hazard of Amnesty and Appeasement.

Even more troubling than the violence itself is the state’s increasingly ambiguous response to it. In several instances, government officials and traditional authorities have publicly entertained negotiations with armed groups, offering amnesty, rehabilitation, or reintegration in exchange for “repentance.”

 

While dialogue is not inherently wrong, the moral hazard created by rewarding violent criminality is profound. When killers are pardoned without justice, accountability collapses. When armed men attend negotiations visibly armed while security agencies appear constrained or deferential, the message is unmistakable: the state is no longer feared.

 

Political scientist Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim has warned that “impunity is the oxygen of insurgency and banditry; once criminals realise there are no consequences, violence becomes self-sustaining.” Nigeria’s experience increasingly validates this grim assessment.

 

Leadership Optics and Public Anger.

Leadership is not only about policy; it is also about symbolism, timing, and empathy. In the midst of escalating killings and mass abductions, images of political leaders engaging in lavish spending, extensive foreign travel and political maneuvering for future elections have deepened public resentment.

 

The issue is not travel per se, but perceived indifference. When citizens are burying loved ones and liquidating assets to pay ransom, extravagant governance sends a chilling signal about priorities.

 

Renowned historian Prof. Toyin Falola has observed that “states collapse not only from external shocks but from the gradual alienation of leaders from the suffering of the people.” Nigeria today appears perilously close to that line.

 

A Society at Risk of Normalising Horror.

Perhaps the most frightening dimension of Nigeria’s crisis is societal desensitisation. Each new mass abduction, each village attack, each killing cycle generates outrage; for a moment. Then attention shifts. Life continues. Horror becomes routine.

 

This dangerous psychological adaptation is what philosopher Hannah Arendt described as the “banality of evil” to the point at which abnormal cruelty becomes ordinary through repetition and silence. When citizens begin to accept mass violence as inevitable, the final collapse is no longer sudden; it is gradual and quiet.

The Way Forward: Accountability, Not Excuses.

Nigeria does not lack solutions; it lacks political will. Experts broadly agree on key steps:

– Comprehensive security sector reform.

– Intelligence-driven policing.

– Swift and transparent prosecution of offenders

– Ending ransom payments through coordinated enforcement.

– Addressing poverty and unemployment that fuel criminal recruitment.

 

As Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once warned, “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” Silence (whether from fear, fatigue, or false optimism) is no longer a neutral act in Nigeria.

 

Final Reflection.

Nigeria is not yet a failed state; but it is a state in severe distress. The continued tolerance of mass insecurity, criminal profiteering, and leadership detachment risks pushing the nation beyond recovery. A society that shrugs at hundreds of deaths and thousands of abductions is not resilient; it is endangered.

 

History will not ask how many excuses were made. It will ask who acted and who chose comfort over courage.

 

Nigeria Under Siege: Insecurity, State Failure and the Dangerous Normalisation of Violence.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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FULFILMENT CLAIMS EMERGE AS PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO’S PROPHECIES ALIGN WITH FOILED BURKINA FASO COUP, DEATH OF GOSPEL ARTIST OMÍJÈ ÒJÙMÍ

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FULFILMENT CLAIMS EMERGE AS PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO’S PROPHECIES ALIGN WITH FOILED BURKINA FASO COUP, DEATH OF GOSPEL ARTIST OMÍJÈ ÒJÙMÍ

 

 

Events in West Africa and Nigeria have reignited conversations around prophetic warnings following claims that prophecies by Prophet Kingsley Aitafo preceded both a foiled coup attempt in Burkina Faso and the recent death of Nigerian gospel artist Bunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Omíjẹ Òjùmí.

 

 

Prophet Aitafo, leader of Oneness in Christ Ministry, had issued two separate prophetic warnings, one in a video message concerning Burkina Faso, and another in a written post shared on social media, believed by followers to relate to the late gospel singer.

 

 

Burkina Faso: Coup Attempt Foretold and Foiled

In a video prophecy that circulated days before the incident, Prophet Aitafo warned of an impending coup attempt against the President of Burkina Faso, declaring that forces were plotting to destabilise the country. In the same message, he urged prayers and stated emphatically that the attempt would fail.

 

Subsequently, Burkinabe authorities announced that security agencies had successfully foiled a coup plot, arresting suspected collaborators and tightening security around key government installations. Officials described the plot as a serious threat to national stability, though details remain under investigation.

 

The outcome has led many observers and followers of the prophet to describe the development as a direct fulfilment of the video prophecy, particularly because of the specific assertion that the coup would not succeed.

 

 

Written Prophecy and the Death of Omíjẹ Òjùmí

Separately, a written prophetic message posted on Prophet Aitafo’s social media page spoke of a “very tall iroko tree in Nigeria” with global relevance that was “about to fall,” urging prayers without naming any individual.

 

Days later, the gospel music community was thrown into mourning following the death of Bunmi Akinnaanu (Omíjẹ Òjùmí), a revered gospel artist whose music enjoyed wide acceptance within Nigeria and among diaspora believers.

 

Though not a political figure, Omíjẹ Òjùmí was widely regarded as a spiritual force in indigenous gospel music circles, with admirers describing her as a towering presence whose impact far exceeded her mainstream visibility.

 

Supporters of Prophet Aitafo argue that the symbolism of an “iroko tree” aptly reflects the singer’s spiritual stature and influence, interpreting her passing as the fulfilment of the written prophecy.

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Where Is Our Leader? We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence

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Where Is Our Leader? We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence. By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

Where Is Our Leader? We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

 

“Obi Demands Accountability, Questions Tinubu’s Whereabouts Amid National Crisis.”

 

In an era marked by escalating socioeconomic collapse, violent insecurity and mounting public despair, the question reverberating across Nigeria’s political landscape is as simple as it is damning: Where is the President when the nation is in crisis?

 

On January 12, 2026, former Labour Party presidential candidate and former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi issued an unprecedented call for accountability, publicly questioning the prolonged absence and silence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid what he described as a “NATIONAL EMERGENCY.” Obi’s statement, widely disseminated on social media and confirmed across multiple news outlets, framed this inquiry not as partisan politics but as a fundamental requirement of democratic leadership.

At the core of Obi’s intervention is a stark charge: Nigeria is in the grips of deepening crises (extreme poverty, mass unemployment, hunger, insecurity and worsening public health) yet its chief executive appears largely absent from the national stage. Obi’s demand for leadership presence is not an abstract critique; it is rooted in data and observable national realities.

 

A Nation Gripped by Crisis.

Obi’s statement highlights alarming statistics that paint a bleak picture of Nigeria’s condition:

 

By the end of 2025, Nigeria was projected to host approximately 140 million people living in extreme poverty, the highest such figure globally.

 

Widespread hunger continues to afflict millions of households, with food insecurity deepening across urban and rural areas alike.

 

Youth unemployment (already one of the world’s most severe) exceeds 80 million people, crippling economic prospects and social stability.

 

Healthcare systems struggle under high infant mortality rates, positioning Nigeria near the bottom of global indicators for child survival.

These challenges (rampant poverty, unemployment, hunger and poor health outcomes) are not random occurrences but the product of systemic governance failures and economic dislocations that have continued for years under successive administrations.

 

Under such conditions, any functioning democratic leader must lead visibly, speak directly to the people and provide a strategic path forward. Instead, as Obi and others have noted, Nigerians have been left largely in the dark.

 

The President’s Absence: Numbers Tell a Story.

Perhaps the most striking part of Obi’s rebuke lies in his detailing of President Tinubu’s travel record:

 

“Spending 196 days abroad in 2025 alone (more time outside the country than within it) while Nigeria grapples with profound crises.”

 

This figure, widely reported across leading Nigerian news outlets, underscores a rare and troubling phenomenon: the head of state has spent more than half the year outside his own country during a period of severe national stress. Such extended absences raise legitimate questions about executive engagement with core governance duties.

 

What makes this absence deeper than mere travel patterns is the accompanying silence and a lack of direct communication from the president to the nation:

 

NO NEW YEAR ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED AT THE BEGINNING OF 2026.

 

NO NATIONAL BROADCAST TO REASSURE CITIZENS DURING WIDESPREAD ECONOMIC ANXIETY HAS BEEN RECORDED.

 

Major security developments (including purported foreign military actions on Nigerian soil) were learned by citizens through foreign media and external sources rather than from the Presidency itself.

 

In a democracy, such prolonged absence and silence from the nation’s highest office are without precedent and deeply corrosive to civic trust.

 

What Leadership Looks Like: Lessons from Global Experiences.

Internationally, leaders facing crises are measured not only by policy initiatives but by visibility, communication and symbolic solidarity with the citizenry.

 

As political scientist Dr. Amina Suleiman of the University of Lagos notes, “A leader must inhabit the nation’s struggles as much as its triumphs. Visibility during hardship is not symbolic but it is governance itself.”

Similarly, governance expert Professor Lawal Ibn Yaro of Bayero University argues that:

“Leadership is measured not in press releases, but in presence and in standing before the people when they need reassurance, direction and hope.”

 

These insights resonate globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders like New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern delivered frequent, direct messages to citizens, helping to foster public confidence even amid uncertainty. In contrast, leadership silence (especially during crisis) often signals disengagement and erodes national morale.

 

Critics and Counterarguments.

Defenders of the Presidency argue that many of President Tinubu’s trips were “working vacations” or engagements at international forums essential for Nigeria’s global diplomacy. They also contend that governance requires delegation and that not all presidential work needs public broadcast.

 

Yet such defenses ring hollow when millions are unemployed, the nation’s economy shows fragile growth and citizens feel abandoned in the face of rising insecurity. The central critique is not that a president travels; but that he fails to communicate and lead while crises intensify at home.

 

The Cost of Leadership Silence.

Obi’s statement carries a grave warning:

“In a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it is perilous. Silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure.”

 

This assertion underscores a deeper truth: leadership failure does not only manifest in policy missteps and it is equally evident in absence, invisibility and silence. When citizens cannot see or hear their leader, mistrust spreads, unity falters and governance itself becomes dysfunctional.

 

Political psychologist Dr. Ifeoma Nwachukwu explains that:

“Silence from leadership during crisis fosters anxiety, fuels speculation, and weakens the psychological fabric of national unity. People require reassurance and clarity or else fear fills the void.”

 

In the absence of that reassurance, disillusionment spreads. Young Nigerians, already disenchanted by lack of opportunity, interpret silence as abandonment. Regional tensions deepen when there is no central voice articulating a shared vision of national recovery.

 

A Call for Accountability, Not Chaos.

Obi’s demand (“Where is the President?”) is, at its core, a demand for accountability. Democratic governance mandates that leaders justify their decisions, articulate strategies and provide transparency to the people they serve.

 

Obi reinforces this:

“We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence.”

 

This distinction is critical. Expecting perfect policy solutions during crisis may be unrealistic. Expecting leadership presence, direct communication, and accountability, however, is not only realistic but it is indispensable.

 

Obi’s broader vision, encapsulated in his concluding affirmation (“A New Nigeria is not just possible; it is essential”) demands that leadership vacuums be filled with vision, clarity and engagement.

 

Why This Matters: The Price of Leadership Vacuity.

As Nigeria confronts multiple crises, the absence of its chief executive (both physically and rhetorically) raises profound questions about governance, responsibility and national direction.

 

Peter Obi’s forceful demand for accountability is not mere opposition rhetoric; it is a call grounded in observable reality, democratic principle and national urgency. In a nation where millions endure hunger, insecurity and lack of opportunity, silence is not neutrality, it is neglect.

 

If Nigeria is to emerge from its existential challenges, leadership must be present, accountable and communicative. The people deserve nothing less.

Where Is Our Leader? We are not asking for perfection; we demand presence.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com

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SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE MAMA LUCIA ONABANJO

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SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE MAMA LUCIA ONABANJO

The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC) and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief (Mrs.) Lucia Onabanjo, wife of the late former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olabisi Onabanjo.

Mama Onabanjo passed on at the remarkable age of 101 on Monday, January 11.

In a condolence message to the Onabanjo family, Senator Adeola described the late matriarch as a woman who lived a fulfilled and exemplary life, noting that her longevity and impactful years are worthy of celebration as a testament to the grace and goodness of God.

According to the Senator, “Mama Onabanjo was a model of virtue and a pioneering First Lady in the democratic history of Ogun State. She was a dutiful, responsible, and compassionate mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who held the Onabanjo family together with dignity and grace long after the passing of her husband. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who benefited from her kindness.”

Senator Adeola prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul and asked God to grant the immediate family the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

 

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