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Presidency Advised to Consider Strategic Lockdowns as Security Solution
Presidency Advised to Consider Strategic Lockdowns as Security Solution
Policy memorandum from CRADI outlines targeted, intelligence-led measures against insurgents and bandits
The Presidency has been advised to adopt strategic, intelligence-driven lockdowns as part of a new framework to counter terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent criminality threatening national stability.
This recommendation was contained in a Policy Advisory Memorandum submitted to the Federal Government by the Crest Research and Development Institute (CRADI) and authored by conflict and security expert, Isa Mohammed.
The memorandum argues that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity requires urgent, innovative approaches beyond conventional military operations, pointing to lessons from other conflict zones as well as Nigeria’s own COVID-19 lockdown experience.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Nigeria currently faces overlapping layers of violence:
- Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the Northeast.
- Banditry, mass kidnappings, and illegal mining in the Northwest.
- Farmer–herder clashes and communal violence in the North Central.
- Separatist-linked attacks in the Southeast.
- Oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and cult-related violence in the South-South.
- Rising cases of kidnappings and armed robbery in the Southwest.
According to the memorandum, this mosaic of insecurity has eroded public trust in state authority and demands a coordinated strategy that can disrupt criminal networks while safeguarding civilian lives.
“Conventional military campaigns alone cannot address these overlapping threats,” Mohammed wrote. “Strategic lockdowns, when carefully designed, can restrict terrorist mobility, cut off supply lines, and create the operational space for intelligence-led security operations.”
Buratai’s Call Sparks Policy Debate
The proposal builds on a recent intervention by former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd.), who called for a nationwide strategic lockdown as a tool to curb rising insecurity.
CRADI responded by convening a Policy Lab under its Co-Creation and Innovation Lab (CCIL), bringing together security practitioners, conflict analysts, governance experts, humanitarian actors, and community stakeholders.
The Lab drew lessons from Nigeria’s COVID-19 lockdown, which, despite its economic costs, succeeded in reducing certain forms of crime and giving security forces a clearer view of population movements. Participants agreed that lockdowns can be effective, but only if targeted, intelligence-driven, and sensitive to humanitarian needs.
Targeted, Not Blanket Lockdowns
The memorandum strongly cautioned against a nationwide shutdown, arguing it would cripple livelihoods without delivering sustainable security. Instead, CRADI recommended zonal lockdowns tailored to local dynamics.
Northeast: Seal borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon; enforce curfews around the Lake Chad Basin and Mandara Mountains.
Northwest: Impose lockdowns in forest belts such as Rugu, Kamuku, and Birnin Gwari; ban illegal mining; restrict rural mobility.
North Central: Enforce lockdowns in conflict flashpoints; secure farmlands with patrols; regulate grazing routes to reduce clashes.
Southeast: Introduce night curfews; restrict unauthorized assemblies; secure major highways against attacks.
South-South: Implement surveillance lockdowns along pipeline corridors and waterways to combat oil theft and cult-related violence.
Southwest: Apply tactical restrictions in forest reserves, especially the Ondo–Ogun axis, which has become a haven for kidnappers.
Security and Humanitarian Balance
The memorandum stressed that any lockdown must prioritize civilians’ welfare. Relief distribution, medical services, and humanitarian corridors must be integral parts of the plan.
“Lockdowns cannot succeed if they punish communities more than they hurt terrorists,” the Policy Lab concluded.
Civil society groups, traditional rulers, and religious leaders were identified as key partners in sensitization and community buy-in. International partners such as the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS were also highlighted as potential providers of technical and logistical support.
Oversight and Rule of Law
The memorandum insisted that the rule of law and accountability are essential if the strategy is to maintain legitimacy.
It proposed the creation of a Joint Oversight Mechanism comprising parliamentary committees, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society actors to monitor enforcement, prevent abuse, and provide citizens with grievance platforms.
Security personnel would be required to operate under clear rules of engagement that respect constitutional rights while allowing decisive action against armed groups.
Implementation Plan
The strategy would unfold in phases:
First 3 months: Map security hotspots, enact legal frameworks, and sensitize communities.
Next 3–6 months: Enforce lockdowns, deploy security forces, and provide humanitarian relief.
After 6 months: Evaluate effectiveness, with adjustments made as needed. Successful areas would transition into community policing and peacebuilding efforts, while unresolved hotspots could see extended lockdowns.
Lockdowns would be strictly time-bound, lasting three to six months in any area, with extensions subject to National Assembly approval.
Measuring Success
Quarterly reports would be submitted to the Presidency anthe d National Assembly. Progress indicators would include:
Reduction in attacks and kidnappings.
Arrest or neutralization of high-value targets.
Destruction of terrorist and bandit camps.
Safe return of displaced persons.
Restoration of farming, trade, and socio-economic activities.
Restoring Authority and Stability
In its conclusion, the memorandum framed the proposal as an opportunity for the Federal Government to regain the initiative in its security strategy.
“General Buratai’s call for a strategic lockdown is an urgent reminder that Nigeria must rethink its approach to insecurity,” Mohammed wrote.
“If implemented with strong oversight, humanitarian sensitivity, and clear timelines, strategic lockdowns can help restore state authority, protect vulnerable communities, and lay the foundation for peacebuilding and long-term stability.”
More than ₦3 billion was targeted, but about ₦677 million reached the culprits, with recovery and prosecutions underway, reflecting how banks are responding to more sophisticated fraud risks.
Nigeria’s expanding digital banking sector is facing increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts, as financial institutions adapt to faster transactions and broader online services.
A recent case involving First City Monument Bank (FCMB), linked to fraudulent activity detected in December 2025, has drawn attention to how banks are responding to such incidents, with a focus on limiting exposure, recovering funds and working with law enforcement.
According to findings referenced in proceedings before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, the incident involved unauthorised transactions tied to a digital product. Early reports erroneously suggested more than ₦3 billion was lost. Subsequent clarification shows that over ₦3 billion was targeted, ₦2.4 billion was blocked and recovered, while ₦677 million got into the possession of the culprits. This outcome reflects the bank’s cyber security and monitoring capabilities, as well as improved collaboration among regulated financial institutions and with law enforcement agencies. Several suspects and beneficiaries have been apprehended, while recovery and prosecution efforts are ongoing, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Proceedings at the Lagos State Special Offences Court have resulted in convictions, including that of a repeat offender, with restitution orders issued. Related matters are also being handled at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where additional suspects are being tried in connection with the scheme. This process is aimed at ensuring that bad actors are identified and permanently blacklisted from the financial system.
Authorities say recovery efforts are continuing as additional funds are traced.
Analysts note that the pace of legal action reflects closer coordination between financial institutions and enforcement agencies in addressing cyber-related financial crime.
The case comes as banks contend with more complex fraud methods, including social engineering and automated exploitation of system processes.
As digital products and platforms expand, so too does the risk associated with cyber-crime and related fraud.
“The scale of digital banking means risks are evolving alongside the systems,” said a Lagos-based financial analyst. “Institutions are now judged by how they manage these events.”
Observers say the sector is moving toward a stronger focus on response and recovery, rather than prevention alone.
This includes improving monitoring capabilities, strengthening transaction controls and enhancing collaboration with regulators and law enforcement. The FCMB case, with limited exposure relative to the amount targeted and ongoing recovery, reflects that shift.
For customers, the primary concern is the safety of their funds. In this case, there has been no indication of losses affecting customer deposits. Maintaining that level of protection remains central to sustaining trust in the financial system.
Nigeria’s financial sector continues to grow, supported by digital innovation and expanding access to banking services.
However, analysts say fraud attempts are likely to persist as systems become more complex and interconnected.
They say institutions will increasingly be judged not only on their ability to prevent incidents, but on how effectively they respond and recover when they occur.
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Ex-APC Deputy Guber flag bearer, Joshua MacIver backs Tinubu, express fears over implosion in Bayelsa APC
….congratulates new State Party Chairman, Warman Ogoriba
APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver has declared his total commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027, declaring that the Tinubu re-election project is non-negotiable.
Great Joshua MacIver, in his statement titled ” BAYELSA APC CONGRESSES: GOING FORWARD, A CALL TO LOOK INWARDS” and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, warned APC leaders in the state to look Inward and take note of certain factors which may hinder or cut short our victory.
According to Great Joshua MacIver, such noticeable pitfalls include the imbalance in the united front being put up by the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri among various political blocs in the state.
In the statement issued at the weekend. Great Joshua MacIver stated that “First, before His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, joined the APC in the state, there were clearly two political blocs that made up the party, with the approximate population ratios of the blocs standing at 95% to 5%.”
“After the entrance of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, ONLY THE SMALLER BLOC IS BEING CARRIED ALONG IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE PARTY, leaving the greater percentage to their fate, and this situation has the potential to build anger and dissatisfaction in our dear party.”
” The consequence of this has been the high level defection we have witnessed in the party recently and we believe more may likely follow, if we do not put our house in order.”
” If we do not pull together as a party, we may witness a situation where we will lose key stakeholders, especially after the State and National Assembly Primaries as well the Gubernatorial Primaries.”
“Finally, while it is very clear that we are the party to beat in the 2027 elections and that our loyalty to Mr. President IS NON-NEGOTIABLE, we must make haste to say that we cannot afford to create situations or loopholes in our unity which will be exploited by other political interests in the state. We cannot afford to under-rate anyone.”
“Our core interest remains the re-election of Mr. President, a project to which we have committed our all. We also pledge our total loyalty to the party as we have no alternative to the APC. However, our concern is that we must, as a party, look inwards and ensure that we do not create loopholes that can impede our common goal.”
Great Joshua MacIver, however congratulated the newly elected State Executives of the APC in Bayelsà State led by Hon. Warman Ogoriba, saying their emergence is welcomed at this critical time in our national history.
At least 23 people were killed in a series of suspected suicide bombings, police in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri said on Tuesday.
https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/personal/products-and-services/all-loans/stanbic-ibtc-mreif-home-loans
More than 100 other people were injured in the blasts that took place on Monday evening in the capital of Nigeria’s restive Borno state.
No group has claimed responsibility for the suspected attacks.
The deadly blasts come after a military post was attacked overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected Islamist militants.
This sad incident is coming barely two weeks after Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church specifically warned against attacks in some states. He mentioned these states while calling on security operatives to pay close attention to them.
These were his words:
“Another attack is coming up in these following states where the military must watch carefully and intelligently; Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Kwara and Kogi state. They want to do a deadly attack, it’s preventable but it depends on how they will handle it. I have told you about the danger coming up.”
@primateayodele
Unfortunately, some of our military agencies don’t believe spiritual intelligence can save the country from so much danger hence, their neglect of this prophetic warning but now, it has been fulfilled with the miliary losing credibility by the day while Primate Ayodele continues to gain momentum.
Likewise, At least 26 passengers and crew sustained varying degrees of injuries on Monday following an accident involving the Kaduna–Abuja train, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Opeifa explained that the train departed Rigasa in Kaduna at 7:15 a.m. and was approaching Asham station around 9:16 a.m. when a loud bang was heard after the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.
In July 2025, Primate Ayodele asked nigerians to pray not to see train mishap on the Kaduna-Abuja route.
@primateayodele #nigeriantiktok🇳🇬 #fulfillment #train #abuja #primateayodele
“Let’s pray not to see train mishap in Abuja-Kaduna, Kaduna-Abuja route.”
This has also been fulfilled.
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