Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to halt the escalating wave of killings, kidnappings, terrorism, and banditry that continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of citizens across the country. In a forceful statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafi’u Baba Ahmad, and issued on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the Council declared that Nigerians are “tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees, and official rhetoric not backed by action,” and that the time for excuses had passed.
The Council warned that the security situation had deteriorated to an alarming level, pointing to recent mass abductions and deadly attacks in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara states, which it said had exposed the vulnerability of communities already reeling from years of insurgency and criminal violence. It also cited the recent abduction of a retired Army General and his wife in Katsina State as stark evidence of the crisis’s deepening reach, noting that “no segment of society appears immune from the activities of criminal elements”.
According to SCSN, the widely reported incidents represent only a fraction of the daily tragedies suffered by Nigerians, as many attacks in remote and underserved communities often go entirely unreported. Citing data from security monitoring organisations and human rights groups, the Council said thousands of Nigerians had been killed, abducted, or displaced in recent months. It added that more than 1,000 persons were reportedly abducted in northern Nigeria during the first quarter of 2026 alone, a statistic that underscores the scale of the crisis.
The Council expressed deep disappointment that repeated appeals by traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders for stronger action had yielded little measurable improvement, despite years of official assurances and promises. “Behind each statistic lies a human story, a life cut short or disrupted, a grieving family, and a community forced to live in fear, uncertainty, and insecurity,” the statement read.
Reaffirming that the protection of lives and property is a primary constitutional duty of any government, SCSN insisted that no administration could claim success while large parts of the country remained exposed to criminal groups operating with impunity. The Council also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to the security sector, noting that “trillions of naira” had been appropriated for defence, intelligence operations, and military procurement over the years, yet the insecurity persists. It argued that accountability and value for money were essential for restoring public trust in government efforts.
While commending the sacrifices and dedication of military and security personnel serving under extremely difficult conditions, the Council made it clear that its criticism was not directed at the officers and soldiers risking their lives daily in defence of the nation. “The overwhelming majority of our men and women in uniform continue to risk their lives daily, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” the statement acknowledged, even as it insisted that the failure of leadership to effectively address the crisis must be named and confronted.
SCSN urged the government to adopt bold, unconventional, and radical measures, warning that business-as-usual strategies had demonstrably failed. It recommended the deployment of all lawful national capabilities, including enhanced intelligence gathering, modern surveillance technology, stronger inter-agency collaboration, grassroots community participation, local intelligence networks, and more effective border security. The Council stressed that Nigeria could not continue on its current dangerous trajectory and that farmers, travellers, and ordinary citizens deserved to go about their daily activities without fear.
“The nation demands action. The time for excuses has passed. The time for demonstration of decisive and competent leadership is now,” the Council declared, delivering a stark verdict on the state of the nation’s security.
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