GTI: ADC Blames Tinubu Government for Nigeria’s 4th Place Terror Ranking, Proposes Security Reforms
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to Nigeria’s ranking as the 4th most terrorism-affected country globally in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), describing it as evidence of a failure in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party cited key findings from the report, including a 43 percent increase in terror attacks and rising civilian casualties, arguing that the figures reflect a deeper governance crisis rather than isolated security lapses.
According to the statement, the report comes amid renewed violence in Borno State, where recent attacks have left dozens dead and many injured.
“Nigeria’s position as the 4th most terrorism-affected country is not just a statistic. It is a direct reflection of the failure of the current administration to secure the country,” the statement said.
Rising Attacks, Civilian Casualties
The party highlighted GTI data showing that terror incidents rose from 120 in 2024 to 171 in 2025 — a 43 percent increase. It noted that Borno State accounted for 67 percent of attacks and 72 percent of deaths, with civilians making up 67 percent of those killed.
The ADC further identified the growing threat posed by extremist groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province, which it said was responsible for over half of all attacks and fatalities. It added that Boko Haram remains active, while new groups such as Lakurawa are emerging.
Criticism of Government Leadership
The opposition party criticised what it described as a lack of urgency and visible leadership, alleging that key officials were absent at a time of national crisis.
It argued that the GTI findings reinforce concerns about weak governance, internal instability, and economic hardship — factors identified in the report as key drivers of terrorism.
In order to address the security situation in Nigeria, the ADC outlined a three-point strategy aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s security architecture:
Improved Intelligence Coordination:
The party proposed the creation of a legally mandated national intelligence coordination system, including a Coordinator of National Intelligence and a unified Joint Terrorism Task Force to eliminate operational gaps among agencies.
Decentralised Policing:
It called for a multi-layered policing system at federal, state, and community levels to enhance responsiveness and accountability across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
Preventive, Intelligence-Led Security:
The ADC emphasised a shift from reactive responses to proactive measures, including early warning systems, data-driven intelligence, and rapid response units nationwide.
Call for Governance Reforms
The party maintained that beyond military responses, addressing insecurity requires tackling underlying socio-economic conditions that fuel recruitment into extremist groups.
“The focus must be on preventing attacks before they occur, not merely responding after lives have been lost,” the statement added.
The GTI 2026 report, the ADC concluded, underscores the urgent need for coordinated leadership and structural reforms to restore security across Nigeria.
