The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 report, describing Nigeria’s emergence as the 4th most terrorism-affected country in the world as a damning verdict on the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led government to secure the nation.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party noted that the report’s data — including a 43 percent rise in terror attacks and increasing civilian casualties — points not just to a security lapse, but to a deeper breakdown in governance.
The ADC also outlined a three-point strategy to reverse the worsening insecurity: strengthening intelligence coordination, decentralizing policing, and shifting from reactive to preventive, intelligence-led operations.
Full Statement
Against the deeply troubling backdrop of another deadly terrorist attack in Borno State, where dozens of Nigerians have been killed and many more injured, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reviewed the newly released Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026. The report delivers a clear and troubling verdict on the state of insecurity in Nigeria today.
Nigeria is now ranked the 4th most terrorism-affected country in the world. This is not just a statistic — it is a stark reflection of the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led APC government to protect its citizens.
At a time when Nigerians are grieving and communities are living in fear, the President, his National Security Adviser, and the Minister of Defence are reportedly abroad. The contrast is glaring: a nation in crisis, and a leadership that appears absent.
This moment demands reflection. It raises serious questions about the priorities of this administration. At a time that calls for urgency, discipline, and decisive leadership, Nigerians are confronted with a government that appears more focused on optics than outcomes.
The Global Terrorism Index merely confirms what Nigerians already know from lived experience. Terror attacks have surged by 43 percent — from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025. Borno State alone accounts for 67 percent of attacks and 72 percent of deaths. Even more alarming, civilians now make up 67 percent of those killed, highlighting how exposed ordinary Nigerians have become.
The threat itself is also evolving. ISWAP is responsible for over half of all attacks and fatalities, while Boko Haram remains active and deadly. Emerging groups such as Lakurawa further underscore the reality that the current security strategy is not containing the crisis — it is allowing it to expand.
These trends point to more than isolated failures. They reflect systemic governance breakdown. The GTI identifies weak governance, internal instability, and economic hardship as key drivers of terrorism. This is not political rhetoric — it is the assessment of an independent global authority.
A government truly committed to protecting its people would demonstrate visible leadership in times of crisis, strengthen local security systems, and address the socio-economic conditions that fuel extremism. Instead, Nigerians are witnessing a leadership class seemingly more preoccupied with political maneuvering than with the urgent task of governance.
The ADC Solution
To address this crisis, the ADC proposes three decisive actions:
1. Fix Intelligence Coordination
Nigeria does not lack intelligence — it lacks coordination. Security agencies currently operate in silos, resulting in missed warnings and delayed responses.
The ADC will establish a legally mandated National Intelligence Coordination System, led by a Coordinator of National Intelligence, alongside a unified Joint Terrorism Task Force. The objective is clear: eliminate gaps, improve response time, and ensure accountability.
2. Decentralize Policing
Nigeria cannot be effectively policed from Abuja alone.
The ADC will implement a decentralized policing structure comprising federal, state, and community policing layers, each with clearly defined roles and national standards. This will enhance responsiveness, improve local intelligence gathering, and ensure security reflects grassroots realities across all 774 local government areas.
3. Shift to Preventive Security
Nigeria’s current approach is largely reactive.
The ADC will transition to a preventive, intelligence-led security framework powered by data, early warning systems, and rapid response units in every state. The goal is to stop attacks before they occur, not merely respond after lives have been lost.
