Nigeria stands on a knife-edge. Whether we tip into chaos or climb toward peace depends on what we do next.
A coalition of prominent Nigerian leaders has warned that the country is enduring “wartime levels of slaughter” despite being officially at peace. In a joint statement, figures including Osita Chidoka, Mohammed Abdullahi, and Kadaria Ahmed declared that “Nigeria is bleeding,” citing Amnesty International data showing 10,217 violent deaths in two years.
The group noted that the toll rivals Ukraine’s civilian casualties and far exceeds Syria’s annual conflict deaths, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Benue was described as the epicentre of violence with 6,896 killed, while Zamfara residents allegedly pay levies to bandits under threat of mass killings. Boko Haram is said to be resurging in the Northeast.
“The Nigerian state has surrendered its monopoly on the legitimate use of force,” the statement read. The coalition urged immediate creation of a Presidential Task Force on National Security with extraordinary powers. “History will judge those in power not for the actions of bandits, but for failure to protect Nigerians,” they warned.