OYO STATE, Nigeria — Comr Okpanachi has raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that the country risks further deterioration if urgent and proactive measures are not taken by the federal government to address ongoing attacks and kidnappings across different regions.
The remarks were made on Thursday, June 12, 2026, during a public protest, where participants gathered to express concerns over insecurity and governance challenges. Okpanachi used the platform to review what he described as a gradual spread of armed violence across the country over the years.
In his comments, he traced the pattern of insecurity from the northeastern region, where insurgency and armed conflict have persisted for more than a decade, to the northwestern states, where banditry and mass kidnappings have become widespread. He further stated that similar incidents are now being recorded in other parts of the northern region and extending into southern areas.
He referenced recent reports of school-related abductions in Oyo State as part of his concern over what he described as a widening geographic spread of insecurity, noting that communities previously considered safer are now experiencing similar threats.
Okpanachi warned that continued failure to address the situation decisively could lead to a future where armed groups gain stronger control over communities, using the situation to extract resources from citizens. In his words during the protest, he said: “One day we may end up paying pass to terrorists if nothing is done.”
He also criticized what he described as reliance on speeches rather than concrete action, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to adopt more proactive and operational security measures. According to him, public addresses alone would not resolve the growing insecurity, and stronger on-the-ground intervention was necessary to restore confidence and safety in affected communities.
The protest where the remarks were made was part of wider public demonstrations calling attention to security concerns and governance challenges across parts of Nigeria. Participants used the event to highlight incidents of kidnapping, rural attacks, and armed violence affecting schools, roads, and farming communities.
Okpanachi’s comments reflect broader national debates on security management, particularly regarding the movement of armed groups across different regions and the effectiveness of current counter-insurgency strategies. Over the years, Nigeria has faced multiple layers of insecurity, including insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and sporadic violent incidents in parts of the north-central and southern regions.
Authorities have repeatedly stated that security operations are ongoing, involving coordinated efforts by the military, police, and intelligence agencies to combat armed groups and protect civilians. However, public concern continues to grow following repeated incidents of kidnappings and attacks in both rural and semi-urban areas.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from the Presidency specifically addressing Okpanachi’s remarks made during the June 12 protest. Government officials have previously maintained that ongoing reforms and security operations are aimed at strengthening national safety and addressing emerging threats across all regions.
The statement adds to ongoing public discourse on security governance in Nigeria, particularly as citizens and civil society groups continue to call for stronger preventive measures, improved intelligence coordination, and faster response to attacks targeting vulnerable communities such as schools and rural settlements.
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