Escalating violence across northern Nigeria and growing controversy over recent military operations have intensified pressure on the Federal Government, as regional leaders warn the country is facing a “state of all-out war” and call for urgent national action.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said in a communiqué this week that the scale and persistence of attacks now pose an “existential threat” to Nigeria, urging authorities to declare a national emergency and overhaul current security measures.
The warning comes amid a surge in insurgent activity, deadly attacks on military formations, and mounting public concern over civilian casualties linked to counterinsurgency operations.
At the center of the latest controversy is the April 11 airstrike in Jilli, Borno State, carried out by the Nigerian Air Force. The military said the strike targeted a major insurgent logistics hub associated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
However, reports of civilian casualties have drawn criticism from observers and reignited debate over the risks of air-led operations in populated areas. Authorities have defended the mission as intelligence-driven while initiating a review of the incident.
Analysts say the episode highlights a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaigdistn, inguishing between militant targets and civilian populations in complex conflict zones.
Beyond the North-East, insecurity has continued to widen. Insurgent groups have intensified attacks on military bases in Borno and surrounding areas, with recent assaults killing soldiers and damaging installations.
In March, suicide bombings in Maiduguri left dozens dead and over a hundred injured, marking a resurgence of urban attacks after a period of relative calm.
Meanwhile, in the North-West, banditry has escalated sharply, with frequent reports of mass killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of rural communities, particularly in states such as Zamfara and Niger.
Incidents in Plateau State and other parts of north-central Nigeria further underscore the expanding geographic scope of the crisis.
The Nigerian Army says it is actively responding through coordinated ground offensives, aerial surveillance, and intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling insurgent networks.
Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, during a recent operational visit to troops under Operation Hadin Kai in Yobe State, pledged sustained offensives and described the military as “aggressive and adaptive” in confronting evolving threats.
He noted that recent operational adjustments, including targeted arrests and disruption of insurgent logistics, are beginning to yield results, even as troops face renewed attacks.
Despite these efforts, security experts argue that Nigeria’s current approach is facing critical limitations. Analysts point to intelligence gaps and slow response cycles that allow insurgents to regroup and launch coordinated assaults.
There are also concerns that heavy reliance on air power and remote forward operating bases may not be sufficient to counter increasingly adaptive insurgent tactics, including drone usage and complex raids on military facilities.
Experts are calling for a more integrated approach that combines human intelligence, advanced surveillance technologies, and stronger community-based security frameworks.
For many Nigerians, repeated attacks and reports of civilian harm have eroded trust in the government’s ability to guarantee safety.
The ACF stressed that beyond military action, restoring confidence will require transparency, accountability, and visible improvements in security outcomes.
“The scale, persistence, and human cost of this violence demand a fundamental shift in national priorities,” the group said, warning that communities across the North are facing severe humanitarian and psychological strain.
Regional leaders are now urging President Bola Tinubu to adopt what they describe as a “war-time approach,” including increased funding for security operations and a reordering of national priorities.
As the military prepares for a renewed phase of operations, analysts say the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether recent tactical adjustments can stem the tide of violence.
For residents across northern Nigeria, however, the crisis remains immediate and deeply personal, as daily life continues under the shadow of persistent insecurity.