SCSN Raises Alarm Over Rising Insecurity, Demands Urgent Government Action

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation across the country, urging the Federal Government to take decisive and effective measures to protect lives and property.

In a statement issued on June 7, 2026, and signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, mni, the Council described the current level of insecurity as alarming, citing increasing cases of killings, kidnappings, terrorist attacks, banditry, and violent crimes in various parts of the country.

According to the Council, recent incidents, including mass abductions in Borno, Oyo, Niger, and Zamfara states, as well as the kidnapping of a retired Army General and his wife in Katsina State, highlight the growing vulnerability of communities and the inability of security agencies to adequately protect citizens.

The SCSN noted that these incidents represent only a fraction of the daily tragedies experienced by Nigerians, many of which go unreported. It referenced reports by security monitoring and human rights organizations indicating that thousands of Nigerians have been killed, abducted, or displaced in recent months, with over a thousand people reportedly kidnapped in Northern Nigeria during the first quarter of the year.

The Council lamented that repeated calls by traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders for improved security have largely been met with promises and assurances rather than concrete results.

“Nigerians are tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees, and official rhetoric not backed by action,” the statement said, stressing that what the country urgently needs is measurable progress in tackling insecurity.

The Council reminded the Federal Government that safeguarding the lives and property of citizens is its primary constitutional responsibility and warned that no administration can claim success while large parts of the country remain vulnerable to criminal elements.

While criticizing the government’s handling of the security situation, the SCSN commended members of the armed forces and other security personnel for their sacrifices, patriotism, and commitment to defending the nation under difficult circumstances.

The Council also called for greater accountability and transparency in the management of public funds allocated to the security sector. It noted that trillions of naira have been budgeted over the years for defence, intelligence operations, security infrastructure, and logistics, yet insecurity continues to escalate.

“Nigerians deserve to know how these resources are being utilized and why the security situation continues to deteriorate despite such massive expenditure,” the statement said.

The SCSN further advocated for bold and unconventional approaches to addressing the crisis, arguing that conventional methods and incremental reforms have failed to yield the desired results. It urged the government to fully deploy intelligence resources, modern technology, inter-agency collaboration, community participation, border control measures, local intelligence networks, and rapid-response systems to combat criminal activities.

The Council warned that continued insecurity poses serious threats to national stability, economic activities, and social cohesion, noting that farmers are abandoning their farms, travelers fear for their safety on highways, and many communities remain at the mercy of terrorists and criminal gangs.

“The nation demands action. The time for excuses has passed. The time for the demonstration of decisive and competent leadership is now,” the statement concluded