APM Accuses Tinubu Government of Downplaying Insecurity, Cites Over 600,000 Deaths
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has strongly criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that the government is downplaying the severity of the country's escalating insecurity crisis. The opposition party contends that Nigeria has become the fourth most insecure country globally, a stark contrast to claims made by government officials, including the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), who asserted that the security situation has improved.
In a statement released on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the APM's National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, described the minister's assertions as a "dangerous distortion of reality." The party pointed to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, which reportedly ranks Nigeria fourth, a two-spot increase from its sixth-place position in the 2025 index. This, according to the APM, contradicts the government's narrative and highlights the daily struggles of Nigerians facing killings, kidnappings, displacement, and other forms of violence.
The APM further alleged that over 600,000 Nigerians have been killed since the Tinubu administration took office in May 2023. Additionally, the party claims that no fewer than 2.2 million Nigerians, including women and children, have been abducted during the same period.
The party expressed particular concern over alleged mass abductions in Niger State, citing an incident where approximately 600 individuals, primarily women, children, and the elderly, were reportedly abducted from Dekera, Gidan-Zana, and Sabon Gida villages. These victims, the APM stated, remain in captivity, underscoring the government's alleged failure to address the crisis effectively.
The APM also referenced data from SBM Intelligence, indicating that Nigerians paid over ₦7.78 billion in ransom between July 2025 and June 2026, labeling kidnapping for ransom as a highly monetized criminal enterprise.
Challenging the government's stance, the APM dared President Tinubu and the Minister of Defence to travel by road without armed escorts, mirroring the risks ordinary Nigerians face.
The party accused the administration of being "dangerously disconnected from reality" or deliberately manipulating public perception by downplaying the scale of insecurity.
The current insecurity situation in Nigeria has been exacerbated by various factors, including protracted intercommunal violence, particularly between herders and farming communities in the north-central region, and the persistent activities of criminal groups in the Northwest. Human Rights Watch reported in February 2026 that killings, kidnappings, and violent raids continued to impact the Northwest, with security forces also implicated in abuses.
Recent humanitarian reports from the UN in January 2026 highlighted severe food insecurity, malnutrition, and acute protection needs across the country, especially in the Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. Intense attacks by non-state armed groups have also led to increased displacement and protection risks for women and girls.
In a statement released on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the APM's National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, described the minister's assertions as a "dangerous distortion of reality." The party pointed to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, which reportedly ranks Nigeria fourth, a two-spot increase from its sixth-place position in the 2025 index. This, according to the APM, contradicts the government's narrative and highlights the daily struggles of Nigerians facing killings, kidnappings, displacement, and other forms of violence.
The APM further alleged that over 600,000 Nigerians have been killed since the Tinubu administration took office in May 2023. Additionally, the party claims that no fewer than 2.2 million Nigerians, including women and children, have been abducted during the same period.
The party expressed particular concern over alleged mass abductions in Niger State, citing an incident where approximately 600 individuals, primarily women, children, and the elderly, were reportedly abducted from Dekera, Gidan-Zana, and Sabon Gida villages. These victims, the APM stated, remain in captivity, underscoring the government's alleged failure to address the crisis effectively.
The APM also referenced data from SBM Intelligence, indicating that Nigerians paid over ₦7.78 billion in ransom between July 2025 and June 2026, labeling kidnapping for ransom as a highly monetized criminal enterprise.
Challenging the government's stance, the APM dared President Tinubu and the Minister of Defence to travel by road without armed escorts, mirroring the risks ordinary Nigerians face.
The party accused the administration of being "dangerously disconnected from reality" or deliberately manipulating public perception by downplaying the scale of insecurity.
The current insecurity situation in Nigeria has been exacerbated by various factors, including protracted intercommunal violence, particularly between herders and farming communities in the north-central region, and the persistent activities of criminal groups in the Northwest. Human Rights Watch reported in February 2026 that killings, kidnappings, and violent raids continued to impact the Northwest, with security forces also implicated in abuses.
Recent humanitarian reports from the UN in January 2026 highlighted severe food insecurity, malnutrition, and acute protection needs across the country, especially in the Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. Intense attacks by non-state armed groups have also led to increased displacement and protection risks for women and girls.
This article and image are AI generated. For informational purposes only.