Nigeria's Bandit Crisis: Churches, Schools Targeted

Nigeria is facing a severe and ongoing insecurity crisis, primarily driven by criminal gangs operating as bandits. These groups are increasingly resorting to kidnapping individuals for ransom, with recent incidents highlighting a disturbing trend of attacks on vulnerable institutions. Places of worship and educational facilities have become prime targets, underscoring the pervasiveness of the threat across the north-western and central regions of the country.

The scale of these abductions is alarming, with hundreds of children and staff recently taken from a school in Niger state. While the government initially attributed some incidents to jihadist groups, analysts suggest these are largely the work of criminal gangs. These attacks put immense pressure on local communities and security forces, who struggle to maintain control.

In response, President Bola Tinubu has ordered intensified intelligence-led operations and the deployment of additional security personnel. Joint task forces are reportedly dismantling some armed groups, yet the violence persists, particularly in remote areas. The challenge lies in overcoming the logistical difficulties and thin security presence in these rural communities, making timely intervention difficult.