Nigeria is grappling with a fresh wave of violent attacks and mass abductions that have claimed lives and left hundreds of families in anguish. Against this backdrop, Senate Chief Whip and former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has alleged that the insecurity crisis is politically engineered to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Kalu, speaking in a televised interview, said the killings and kidnappings sweeping across various states are being sponsored by powerful individuals seeking to destabilise the government ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Nation Under Attack
In recent days, Nigeria has witnessed a series of coordinated violent incidents leading to deaths and the abduction of more than 300 people, including schoolchildren and worshippers.
- Kebbi State:
Last Monday, gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, abducting 25 schoolgirls and killing the school’s vice principal. - Niger State:
On Tuesday, bandits attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, whisking away over 300 schoolchildren.
The Catholic Diocese later confirmed that 50 of the abducted children escaped. - Kwara State:
That same Tuesday, armed men invaded the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, killing three people and abducting 38 worshippers.
According to the Kwara State Government, the 38 abducted worshippers have regained freedom.
These incidents have intensified public pressure on the federal government to urgently tackle worsening insecurity in the country.
“Intelligence community knows the people behind the attacks”
Reacting to the escalations, Kalu insisted that Nigeria’s security agencies are aware of the masterminds behind the violence.
“The intelligence community knows the people behind the violent attacks,” he said. “For the past few months, we have been quiet on President [Donald] Trump talks about people being killed in Nigeria, and you can see people talk about the 2027 election this and that, and you can see these are all about politics, but we’re equal to the task.”
According to him, the attackers are not mere criminals but mercenaries procured by politicians.
“These people are partially missionaries bought by politicians. These people are people bought by individuals. These people are people centred to destabilise the President who is ready to fight for our economy, that’s been trying his best to see what he can do,” he said.
Tinubu Having Sleepless Nights — Kalu
Kalu disclosed that President Tinubu is deeply troubled by the spate of attacks.
“The President is having sleepless nights about the security situation,” he stated, adding that Tinubu is constantly briefed on security matters.
He described the President’s recent directive to withdraw police escorts from VIPs as a step in the right direction.
“That withdrawal of police from VIPs is a good decision. We need more officers on the streets, not guarding individuals,” he said.
Nigeria Needs U.S. Partnership
On former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about killings in Nigeria, Kalu said American involvement would be productive only if done through official diplomatic engagement.
“Trump’s intervention in Nigeria would be good when the U.S. president consults with the Federal Government,” he said. “We need to work together with the United States of America. We need that partnership.”
Call for Unity
Kalu urged Nigerians to stand firm against attempts to weaponise insecurity for political gain, expressing confidence that the federal government will eventually expose and defeat those behind the attacks.