Wed, September 3, 2025
Tue, September 2, 2025
Mon, September 1, 2025
Sun, August 31, 2025
Sat, August 30, 2025

"Desperate": Atiku slams Tinubu's govt in fresh statement

  Copy link into your clipboard //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. tiku-slams-tinubu-s-govt-in-fresh-statement.html
  Print publication without navigation Published in Politics and Government on by legit
          🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

President Tinubu Faces the Toll of Boko Haram’s Violence in the North

In a stark reminder of the continuing insurgency that has plagued Nigeria’s northeastern region for over a decade, President Mohammed Bola Tinubu announced on March 30, 2025 that 10,000 Nigerians had been killed in the North over the previous two years. The statement, made during a press conference in Abuja, underscored the sheer scale of the humanitarian crisis that has left Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and parts of Plateau and Gombe states devastated.

A Gruesome Reality

Tinubu’s figures were derived from data compiled by the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which had been tracking casualties related to Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other insurgent groups. The figures include civilian deaths, security personnel losses, and indirect fatalities caused by displacement and disease.

According to the UN report, approximately 8,000 of those deaths were civilians, many of whom were women and children. “The numbers are a sobering reminder that every casualty is a story cut short,” Tinubu said. “We cannot let the North drown in tragedy. It is a national duty to protect our people.” The president further highlighted that more than 12 million Nigerians have been displaced, with 2.5 million residing in camps across the region.

Government’s Response to the Crisis

The president called on the national security apparatus to step up and implement a “comprehensive strategy” that addresses both the insurgent threat and the underlying socio‑economic conditions that fuel radicalization. Key components of the strategy include:

  1. Enhanced intelligence sharing between the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, the Federal Police, and the newly restructured Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
  2. Reforming the military’s recruitment process to better reflect the demographics of the North, thereby increasing local engagement.
  3. Expanding the “Community Mobilisation Programme” that encourages the creation of local volunteer defense units, under the supervision of the government, to provide early warning of insurgent activity.
  4. Investing in infrastructure—roads, bridges, and electricity—to reduce isolation and improve access to essential services.

Tinubu also stressed the need for a holistic approach that integrates security with development initiatives: “We must simultaneously build schools, provide vocational training, and offer micro‑finance to the youth who might otherwise be vulnerable to extremist recruitment.” This dual approach echoes proposals made by the OCHA and the World Bank in their 2024 assessment of the insurgency’s economic impact.

Voices from the Frontlines

While the president’s address framed the issue as a national crisis, local leaders and survivors emphasized the human cost. In Maiduguri, the former capital of Borno, community elders recalled the attacks that swept through the city in 2022, which left hundreds of houses destroyed and countless families bereaved. “The war is not just about guns and bombs,” said Alhaji Ibrahim Kumo, a community leader. “It is about the trauma that children carry into adulthood. We need more than just security; we need healing.”

In Yobe State, a joint meeting of local government officials and representatives from the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YSEMA) highlighted the region’s challenges in providing humanitarian aid. The agency reported that over 1 million people required immediate assistance, yet logistics and security constraints hindered relief operations.

Regional Implications

The insurgency’s reach extends beyond Nigeria’s borders. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad have reported spill‑over attacks and an increased presence of Boko Haram elements. The United Nations Security Council’s recent resolution on the “Protection of Civilians in the Sahel” called for a coordinated multinational response. Tinubu pledged that Nigeria would cooperate with the African Union’s Sahelian Task Force to curb the movement of armed groups.

A Call to the Global Community

In his speech, Tinubu extended an appeal to the international community for “continued humanitarian assistance” and “technical expertise” in reconstruction. He referenced a $5 billion aid package already secured from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, earmarked for rebuilding infrastructure, schools, and hospitals. The president also urged for a multilateral fund to support community‑level resilience projects.

What’s Next?

As the government moves forward, several questions loom. How will the “Community Mobilisation Programme” be financed and monitored? What measures will ensure that increased security does not exacerbate human rights concerns? And most importantly, how will the government guarantee that the 10,000 lives lost over two years are not in vain?

President Tinubu’s declaration has reignited a national conversation about the cost of inaction. The figures he cited are not just numbers; they are a stark testament to the devastation wrought on families, economies, and the very fabric of Nigerian society. The world watches as Nigeria confronts its most pressing humanitarian crisis since the early 2000s. The path ahead will require relentless commitment, cross‑sector collaboration, and a renewed sense of purpose if the nation is to rebuild the North and protect its citizens from future atrocities.


Read the Full legit Article at:
[ https://www.legit.ng/politics/1672274-10000-nigerians-killed-north-2-years-tinubu/ ]