Nigerian Civil Groups Warn of Instability from Insecurity, Poverty

A coalition of more than 50 civil society organizations in Nigeria issued a joint statement on Tuesday, warning that the country is on the brink of deeper instability due to escalating insecurity, widespread poverty, and failing governance. The groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, and Centre for Democracy and Development, described the situation as a national emergency requiring immediate action from federal, state, and local authorities to prevent further erosion of social cohesion.

The statement highlighted persistent violence across northern and central regions, including recent attacks in states such as Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Benue that have claimed dozens of lives and displaced communities. Officials reported at least 17 people killed in an assault on Mbalom village in Benue State during Easter celebrations, with armed attackers setting homes ablaze and abducting residents. Similar incidents in Kaduna and other areas have intensified fears, with banditry disrupting farming and contributing to food shortages and inflation exceeding 15 percent. Kidnappings have become routine,...