Nigeria’s opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have sharply criticised the Federal Government following a new report ranking the country as the fourth most terrorism-affected nation in the world.
The latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) by the Institute for Economics and Peace paints a grim picture: terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria surged by 46 percent to 750 in 2025, while attacks rose by 43 percent, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171. The report also highlighted a deadly September 5, 2025 assault in Borno State that killed 58 villagers and five soldiers, ranking among the world’s deadliest attacks of the year.
According to the GTI, extremist groups including ISWAP and Boko Haram were responsible for 80 percent of terrorism-related deaths, with violence heavily concentrated in the northeastern region. Civilians bore the brunt, accounting for 67 percent of fatalities.
Reacting, PDP spokesperson Ini Ememobong said the findings merely confirm what Nigerians already endure daily.
“While this report is not surprising to Nigerians, it is most painful that people who promised to secure our country are wining, dining, and dancing in a faraway land whilst terrorists are killing and kidnapping citizens rampantly.”
He added that insecurity under the current administration has become deeply entrenched.
“Under President Tinubu’s watch, insecurity has not just become very lucrative, it has attained a trillion-naira economy status.”
The PDP called for a shift from reactive responses to a “whole-of-society approach,” urging the government to prioritise both immediate safety and long-term peace.
Similarly, the ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, described Nigeria’s ranking as a “clear and troubling verdict” on governance.
“Nigeria is now ranked the 4th 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 government to secure the country.”
The party also criticised the absence of key leaders during a period of heightened insecurity.
“At a moment when Nigerians are grieving and communities are under threat, the President and top security officials are abroad. The contrast is clear: a country in crisis, and a leadership that is absent.”
Beyond criticism, the ADC proposed a three-point security reform strategy: improved intelligence coordination, decentralised policing, and a transition to preventive, intelligence-led operations.
“Nigeria does not lack intelligence, it lacks coordination… The goal is simple: no more missed signals, no more confusion, no more excuses.”
The party warned that emerging extremist groups and worsening economic conditions are compounding the crisis.
“These outcomes point to something deeper than isolated security lapses. They reflect a breakdown in governance.”
As attacks increasingly target civilians and spread across vulnerable regions, both parties insist urgent, structural reforms are needed to restore safety and public confidence.
