The African Democratic Congress has raised alarm over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, citing the extortion of over ₦56 million from farmers in Zamfara State by armed groups and the complete abandonment of an entire village in Kwara State to bandits.
In a statement released by National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party warned that Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership is experiencing a dangerous descent toward state failure, with criminal groups now effectively challenging government authority across multiple regions.
The party described the situation in Zamfara State, where farmers must pay substantial sums to terrorist groups before accessing their own farmlands, as a national crisis rather than a localized security challenge. The ADC also highlighted disturbing footage showing the complete evacuation of a village in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, where residents fled their homes due to bandit threats.
“When armed gangs can collect ₦56 million from farmers for the ‘right’ to plant food, the issue is no longer about insecurity,” the ADC stated. “It is about criminal elements contesting the right to govern a part of Nigeria. When criminals can tax citizens at gunpoint, it means the state has surrendered its monopoly of force and state authority is in retreat.”
The opposition party expressed dismay that such incidents could occur in a country with one of Africa’s largest defense budgets, yet farmers remain vulnerable to criminal exploitation. The ADC noted that recent weeks have seen approximately 50 people abducted in a single operation in Zamfara State, alongside the mass displacement of entire communities.
Drawing historical parallels, the ADC recalled President Tinubu’s 2014 criticism of then-President Goodluck Jonathan over Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. At the time, Tinubu had questioned Jonathan’s leadership, asking why any part of Nigeria should remain under terrorist occupation and suggesting resignation was appropriate in civilized countries when leaders failed to protect citizens.
“If you control the armed forces and you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, why should any part of this country be under occupation?” the party quoted Tinubu’s previous statement.
However, the ADC clarified that despite the current administration’s security challenges exceeding those of the previous government, they are not calling for Tinubu’s resignation but rather demanding effective action.
The party questioned the president’s priorities, noting his declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State over political tensions while remaining largely silent on the systematic extortion and territorial control exercised by bandits in Zamfara and other northern states.
“We will like to urge President Tinubu to drop whatever else that pre-occupies him and direct his attention to Zamfara State and other parts of the country menaced by bandits,” the ADC demanded.
The opposition party concluded by emphasizing that any government unable to guarantee the safety of farming communities and prevent citizens from negotiating their survival with criminals has failed in its fundamental responsibility to protect lives and property.
The statement comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s security architecture, with bandits increasingly operating with impunity across several northern and central states, disrupting agricultural activities and displacing thousands of residents.
