Civil society groups cite mass casualty data as stakeholders push for urgent reforms on child protection, school safety, and national security coordination
By Anita Babalola / May 29, 2026
Lagos, Nigeria —Nigeria’s worsening security crisis has come under renewed scrutiny after a coalition of civil society organisations alleged that nearly 19,980 people have been killed and 12,362 others abducted since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
The figures, drawn from compiled datasets and advocacy records, have triggered fresh political and policy debates, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accusing the government of presiding over a security environment where ransom payments have become an informal household burden for many Nigerians.
CSOs RELEASE SHOCKING SECURITY DATA
A coalition of 52 civil society organisations, including Global Rights, BudgIT, CISLAC, CLEEN Foundation, CITAD, CASER, and others, released the figures during the Ninth National Day of Mourning themed “Nigerian Lives Matter.”
According to the coalition, the data—sourced from massatrocities.org and field reports—shows:
- 19,980 civilian deaths since May 2023
- 12,362 kidnappings across multiple states
- 1,486 security personnel killed in active operations
- 865 students abducted from schools nationwide
The coalition warned that the numbers exclude ordinary criminal fatalities such as armed robbery, suggesting that the true scale of insecurity may be significantly higher.
CHILD ABDUCTION CRISIS AND SCHOOL TARGETING
The report highlights an alarming rise in school-based abductions, with hundreds of children reportedly taken from classrooms and learning environments since 2023.
Stakeholders say the trend has worsened Nigeria’s already critical out-of-school children crisis, with displaced pupils and fear-driven school closures becoming more common in high-risk regions.
The coalition described schools as increasingly “soft targets” for armed groups, calling for urgent protection mechanisms.
ATIKU: ‘NIGERIANS NOW BUDGET FOR RANSOM’
Reacting through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the Tinubu administration, accusing it of being detached from the realities faced by citizens.
He argued that insecurity has become so entrenched that families now incorporate ransom payments into household financial planning.
Atiku further criticised government responses to economic hardship, insisting that debt accumulation cannot be considered progress when living conditions continue to deteriorate.
He described current governance as increasingly driven by public relations rather than measurable improvement in welfare, citing rising inflation, hunger, and insecurity.
INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR CHILD PROTECTION REFORMS
At a Children’s Day event organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, experts called for stronger global and domestic collaboration to address child abduction, trafficking, and school insecurity.
Schools Under Threat
Director of Research, Prof. Joshua Bolarinwa, warned that schools are losing their status as safe spaces, while national borders are increasingly exploited for trafficking networks.
Law vs Implementation Gap
Dr. Rita Agu, Head of the International Law Unit, stressed that Nigeria’s challenge is not lack of laws but weak enforcement.
She cited persistent abuse, neglect, bullying, and unsafe school environments despite global commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and SDGs.
Early Warning Signs Ignored
Dr. Agu urged parents, teachers, and communities to identify behavioural indicators of abuse such as withdrawal, fear, injuries, and sudden academic decline.
EXPERTS PUSH FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Senior Research Fellow Dr. Philippa Inyang emphasised the importance of cross-border partnerships in combating trafficking networks, while other experts called for stronger intelligence sharing among African and global security institutions.
NIIA Director-General Prof. Eghosa Osaghae assured children of long-term opportunities, while noting that many could become future national and global leaders if adequately protected.
ANALYSIS: A DEEPENING SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY DEBATE
The competing narratives between government defenders and civil society groups reflect a widening trust deficit over Nigeria’s security management.
While CSOs present data-driven casualty estimates to highlight urgency, critics argue that official figures and context are necessary for accurate interpretation.
However, both sides acknowledge a central reality: insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s most destabilising national challenges.
The latest coalition report and political reactions underscore a growing national debate over insecurity, accountability, and governance effectiveness. With rising fatalities, mass abductions, and escalating political criticism, pressure is mounting on authorities to demonstrate measurable progress in restoring safety and public confidence.
Leave a Reply