Public anger is boiling over in Nigeria after a string of deadly attacks across the northern states in the last four days, triggering calls for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency, or step down.
On social media, hashtags such as #ResignNow and #StateOfEmergency trended for hours on Wednesday as citizens vented frustration over what many see as the government’s failure to protect lives.
The violence has been relentless. On Friday, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ambushed a military patrol in Borno State at Damboa Road along Wajiroko, killing three soldiers and abducting their commander, a brigadier general.
The army initially denied the abduction, but the general was later executed, a development President Tinubu confirmed on Tuesday.
Barely a day later, terrorists stormed a secondary school in Kebbi State, killed the vice principal, and abducted 25 female students. Security sources told reporters that soldiers pursuing the kidnappers were also ambushed, a detail carried by Sahara Reporters.
As the nation reeled, both President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima drew criticism for their travel schedules. Tinubu was preparing to depart for G-20 meetings in Angola and South Africa, while Shettima was in Kogi celebrating the defection of local politicians to the APC.
“Let the records show that when: (a) terrorists liquidated a military unit & killed a General of @HQNigerianArmy; (b) Terrorists abducted 25 girls from High School in Kebbi & killed their VP; (c) Terrorists sacked church in Kwara & killed worshippers VP @officialSKSM celebrated,” former head of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, posted on X, echoing thousands of similar comments.
More Attacks
Tension deepened Tuesday night when gunmen attacked the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing four worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.
A video shared on social media showed the CAC service being interrupted by gunfire, forcing worshippers to scamper for cover. Armed men are seen entering and taking people’s belongings as gunshots continue.
Police said officers responded to the attack around 6 p.m. on Tuesday and discovered one person fatally shot inside the church and another in a nearby bush, said Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, police spokesperson for Kwara state.
Witnesses said they counted at least three dead church members.
“They later rounded up some worshippers, including the pastor, and took them into the bush,” parishioner Joseph Bitrus told Reuters by phone.
The assault mounts additional pressure on the Tinubu administration after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria over widespread killings of Christians, a claim Abuja has denied.
Amid mounting outrage, Tinubu’s office announced Wednesday that the president had suspended his foreign trip “to await further security briefings.” He also directed the deployment of more security personnel to Kwara and ordered police to hunt down the attackers.
“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Tuesday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure.,” presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga said in a statement, adding that Tinubu had instructed security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls.
The APC later postponed its planned event to welcome Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas into the party, citing the national mood.
But for many Nigerians, the moves appear too little.
“If President Tinubu is not playing politics with insecurity, the following would have happened with immediate effect 1) Address the nation immediately not to sympathize but to set deadlines, action plan and declare state of Emergency in the North, especially North East,” wrote X user, Ọbabìnrin Adérónkẹ́.
“I think it’s time for you to resign now. If you genuinely love Nigeria, resign now. You are not capable to rule our nation,” Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti governor Ayo Fayose, said in a video posted on X.
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