Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Editorial Board of Premium Times, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, has delivered a scathing assessment of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, declaring that successive governments have failed in their constitutional responsibility to protect citizens, even as violence continues to escalate across the country.
Speaking In an interview with ARISE News on Friday, Ibrahim said the defining feature of the year was not merely the persistence of insecurity but the Nigerian state’s “glaring inability, or unwillingness” to confront it decisively.
“I think it’s been a very difficult year for Nigerians. But the fact of the matter is that many of the preceding years have been equally difficult on Nigerians,” he said.
According to him, what distinguishes 2025 from previous years is the state’s sustained failure to halt the proliferation of armed groups and criminal violence that began with the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009.
“What marks this year is the glaring inability, or some would say unwillingness, of the Nigerian state to carry out its constitutional responsibility of providing for the security and welfare of Nigerians,” Ibrahim stated.
He questioned how insecurity has continued to worsen year after year, despite repeated government assurances and military operations.
“Since 2009, how do we explain the fact that each year insecurity continues to grow? The number of people — civilians with arms — using these arms against communities, against road users, against even the military and the police themselves, clearly indicates a sustained lack of effort on the part of the Nigerian state to carry out its constitutional responsibility.”
Ibrahim warned that the unchecked circulation of weapons among civilians had entrenched a culture of impunity.
“Once you have people who have no right to arms procuring arms and then finding out they can use those arms with impunity, that problem is bound to increase.”
Reflecting on past administrations, Ibrahim said Nigerians had repeatedly hoped for a turnaround, only to be disappointed.
“We have had many moments of hope that the tide will turn. When Buhari came, many of us felt the tide would turn. This is a top general. He will deal with them,” he recalled.
He argued that the current administration has fared no better — and in some respects, worse — than its predecessors.
“People like the current president, who had before criticised the Jonathan administration for school abductions and rising insecurity, today find themselves at the helm of the state and performing worse than Jonathan did at that time.”
Describing the national situation as deeply troubling, Ibrahim said Nigeria has yet to be led by a government with the competence and resolve to tackle insecurity.
So it’s a very sad tale. The narrative is extremely disturbing,” he said.
“The problem we all face as Nigerians is that we are yet to see a government that has both the will, the determination, and the know-how to attack this problem of rising insecurity.”
Ibrahim also addressed US President Donald Trump’s threat to take action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians, describing it as a crude expression of raw national interest rather than humanitarian concern.
“In a sense, Donald Trump is bringing truth to international diplomacy, which has always been about national interests,” he said.
“For a country like the United States, being hegemonic at the world level, the pursuit of its interests has been relentless, but always covered up in nice speech — rules-based international order, humanitarian support.”
According to him, Trump’s posture towards Nigeria is rooted in grievances rather than genuine concern.
“Now we are in a period of crude narratives, where Donald Trump is looking for a way to exercise his bully character on Nigeria because of the sins Nigeria has committed against him.”
Ibrahim outlined what he described as Nigeria’s “sins” in Trump’s eyes.
“Sin number one: he made a request for the establishment of a military base in this country, which was disallowed.”
“Sin number two: when he had Venezuelan criminals he wanted to get rid of because their countries wouldn’t accept them, he made specific requests that African countries, including Nigeria, accept them. Nigeria said no. We have enough of our own.”
“Sin number three: Nigeria allowed China to have a foothold in mineral resources, particularly rare earth elements, where the United States is far behind.”
He said these factors prompted Trump to search for a justification to apply pressure on Nigeria.
“That’s the context in which he had to find an excuse — ‘Christian genocide’.”
Rejecting the moral authority of the allegation, Ibrahim was blunt.
“This is a man who has superintended the genocide of the Palestinians over the past two years, so he definitely has no lessons to give anybody in the world on genocide.”
Despite US pressure, Ibrahim urged Nigeria not to cower.
“One thing all bullies are afraid of is fight-back. I think so far, Nigeria has shown a willingness to stand its ground, and I think they should be even firmer in standing their ground.”
He argued that American power should not intimidate Nigeria into submission.
“The U S has tried to destroy so many countries in the world and they have not succeeded. So the fact that they are a powerful nation doesn’t mean we should cringe and bow to them.”
In a forceful conclusion, Ibrahim called for national confidence and resolve.
“We should stand our ground, defend our interests as other countries do, and tell Mr Trump that you are a bully and you can’t bully us.”
“We are a people who are proud, we have integrity, and we have the wherewithal to fight.”
Boluwatife Enome
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