The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has raised the alarm over the escalating wave of insecurity across the country, urging the Federal Government to move beyond assurances and take concrete steps to safeguard lives and property.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, the Council decried the persistent surge in killings, kidnappings, bandit attacks, terrorism and other violent crimes that continue to threaten communities nationwide.
The Council said recent incidents, including mass abductions and deadly attacks in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara states, underscored the worsening security challenges facing many parts of the country. It also pointed to the kidnapping of a retired Army General and his wife in Katsina State as a stark indication of how deeply rooted the crisis has become.
According to the Council, numerous cases of violence and abductions never make it into the public domain, while reports from security tracking bodies and human rights organisations suggest that thousands of Nigerians have fallen victim to criminal activities in recent months.
It noted that over 1,000 people were reportedly kidnapped across Northern Nigeria within the first three months of the year.
“Behind each statistic lies a human story, a life cut short or disrupted, a grieving family, and a community forced to live in fear, uncertainty and insecurity,” the statement said.
The Council expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the lack of meaningful progress despite repeated calls by traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders for stronger security interventions.
It observed that many Nigerians had become disillusioned by repeated pledges and reassurances that had failed to produce visible improvements on the ground.
“The nation is tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees and official rhetoric not backed by action. What Nigerians need now is decisive action and measurable results,” it stated.
Reiterating that the protection of citizens remains the foremost duty of government, the Council urged political leaders to demonstrate greater resolve and effectiveness in confronting the security emergency.
It maintained that no administration could truly claim success while criminal groups continued to operate freely across large sections of the country.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of military personnel and other security operatives, the Council clarified that its concerns were not directed at officers risking their lives in service to the nation.
“The overwhelming majority of our men and women in uniform continue to risk their lives daily in defence of the nation, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” it said.
The Council further demanded greater openness in the management of funds allocated to security, insisting that citizens have a right to know how trillions of naira earmarked for defence, intelligence operations, military logistics and equipment procurement have been spent over the years.
It argued that transparency and accountability are crucial to rebuilding public trust in government efforts to tackle insecurity.
Calling for a fresh approach to the crisis, the Council urged authorities to embrace innovative and unconventional strategies, stressing that current methods have failed to deliver the desired outcomes.
It recommended the deployment of all lawful national resources, including advanced intelligence systems, technology-driven surveillance, stronger inter-agency cooperation, community engagement, grassroots intelligence gathering and rapid-response structures.
Warning that the nation could no longer afford to continue on its present path, the Council said citizens should not be left vulnerable to terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
It stressed that farmers, commuters and ordinary Nigerians deserve to go about their daily activities without fear.
“The nation demands action. The time for excuses has passed. The time for demonstration of decisive and competent leadership is now,” the Council stated.
