By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted President Ahmed Tinubu and his government over Nigeria’s ranking as the fourth most terrorism-affected country globally, as revealed in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI).
The coalition party further unveiled a three-point strategy aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s security architecture and strengthening the ability of security agencies to nib terrorism on the bud through intelligence driven operations.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the ranking as “clear evidence of failure” on the part of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government to secure the country.
The party cited figures from the report indicating a 43 percent increase in terrorist attacks, rising from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025, alongside a surge in civilian casualties. According to the ADC, the data underscores what it called a deepening crisis in governance rather than isolated security lapses.
“Nigeria is now ranked the fourth most terrorism-affected country in the world. That is not an abstract statistic; it is a direct reflection of the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led APC government to secure the country,” the statement said.
The ADC further criticised the absence of key government officials during periods of national distress, noting that the President, National Security Adviser, and Minister of Defence were reportedly out of the country amid recent deadly attacks, particularly in Borno State.
It warned that the growing insecurity, driven largely by insurgent groups such as ISWAP and Boko Haram, reflects a breakdown in governance, compounded by weak institutions, economic hardship, and internal instability.
“The Global Terrorism Index confirms what Nigerians already know from lived experience,” the party stated, adding that civilians now account for the majority of victims, a sign that ordinary Nigerians are increasingly vulnerable.
As part of its proposed solutions, the ADC unveiled a three-point strategy aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s security architecture.
First, the party pledged to establish a legally mandated national intelligence coordination system to address what it described as fragmentation among security agencies. This would include the creation of a Coordinator of National Intelligence and a unified Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Second, it advocated decentralised policing, arguing that security cannot be effectively managed from Abuja alone. The proposed structure would involve federal, state, and community policing layers to ensure quicker response times and improved accountability.
Third, the party called for a shift from reactive to preventive security measures, emphasising the need for intelligence-driven operations supported by data, early warning systems, and rapid response units across all states.
“The goal is simple: no more missed signals, no more confusion, no more excuses,” the statement added.
The ADC maintained that a government committed to protecting its citizens must demonstrate proactive leadership, strengthen local security frameworks, and address socio-economic factors that fuel extremism.
It concluded by urging Nigerians to reflect on the country’s current trajectory, insisting that effective leadership, rather than “pageantry and propaganda,” is required to tackle the nation’s worsening security challenges.
