Toba Alabi. tobalabi@yahoo.com
President Bola Tinubu,grappling with decades old crisis
Introduction
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has long grappled with complex security challenges, including ethno-religious conflicts, insurgencies, communal violence, and violent herder-farmer clashes.
Between 2015 and 2025, these challenges intensified, with large-scale killings, displacement of communities, and destruction of property reported across multiple states. Under the administration of Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023), Nigeria experienced a surge in herder-farmer violence, particularly in North-Central states such as Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna, where thousands of civilians were killed and millions displaced. Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East compounded the humanitarian crisis, with mass abductions, bombings, and targeted attacks further undermining national security. Despite government directives to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute perpetrators, impunity remained pervasive, reinforcing a perception of state weakness and failure.
The security situation persisted under President Bola Tinubu (2023–present), with continued herder-farmer attacks, communal clashes, and banditry resulting in multiple deaths and widespread disruption. Reports indicate that, as under the Buhari administration, many perpetrators have not been held accountable, highlighting the persistence of impunity and governance deficits.
Against this backdrop, Nigeria has repeatedly been recommended for designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the United States’ International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). The CPC designation identifies countries that engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.” While often interpreted as a moral or diplomatic critique, the CPC label carries both symbolic and practical significance: it communicates international concern over Nigeria’s human rights record, projects scrutiny over state accountability, and reflects the broader consequences of governance failure for citizens’ safety and social cohesion.
This paper examines Nigeria’s CPC designation beyond rhetorical and symbolic interpretations, emphasizing the real-world consequences of impunity, recurring mass killings, and weak governance under both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations. By situating the CPC label within the context of large-scale violence and security failures, the study underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms, conflict prevention strategies, and mechanisms to ensure accountability, protection of life, and national stability.
Mass Killings and Impunity under Buhari (2015–2023)
During Buhari’s presidency, reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and local civil society organizations documented thousands of deaths attributed to armed herders, Boko Haram insurgents, and communal conflicts:
1. Herders-Farmers Conflicts: Amnesty International (2018) reported at least 3,641 deaths in clashes between farmers and herders between 2016 and 2018. In Benue State alone, media reports cite over 6,000 deaths and mass displacement, with minimal prosecutions of perpetrators.
2. Boko Haram Insurgency: Thousands of civilians were killed, and millions displaced across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States. Despite national and international attention, accountability remained limited.
3. Selected Massacres under Buhari:
2019 Kaduna State (Kajuru LGA): Suspected herders killed ~141 villagers; no successful prosecutions reported.
2021 Nasarawa State (December): Fulani herders attacked Tiv communities, killing over 50; arrests and convictions were minimal.
2016 Ukpabi Nimbo, Enugu State: Attack on local community; presidential directive issued, but follow-up outcomes were opaque.
These examples illustrate the justice gap and impunity that contributed to the CPC designation, signaling Nigeria’s inability to protect citizens and enforce the rule of law.
Mass Killings and Security Challenges under Tinubu (2023–Present)
Since assuming office in 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has faced continued violence from herders, bandits, and insurgents:
1. North-Central Violence: States including Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger continue to experience herder-farmer attacks, with dozens killed in multiple incidents. Public reports indicate few arrests and minimal prosecutions, reflecting ongoing impunity.
2. Nigerian South-East and South-South: Kidnappings, communal attacks, and clashes between local groups and armed herders have persisted, with security agencies struggling to respond effectively.
3. Impunity and Weak Accountability: Despite declarations to tackle insecurity, systemic issues, limited police capacity, political interference, and corruption, continue to undermine justice.
Also Read:Odegbami rescues me after sleeping at airport for four days — Professor
Alleged Genocide:U.S. War Department may strike in Nigeria- Official
Frankly Speaking:Buhari: Double standard as a style in nation building
Trump Threat: EU reaffirms solidarity with Nigeria, pledges stronger support on security
CPC Designation Beyond Rhetoric and Symbolism
The CPC label transcends rhetorical condemnation; it carries practical and symbolic weight in multiple dimensions:
1. Domestic Significance: For Nigerian citizens, the designation highlights government failure to prevent killings, protect vulnerable populations, and uphold human rights. The label becomes a symbol of accountability and critique.
2. International Significance: Globally, CPC status signals Nigeria’s human rights and security deficits, influencing diplomatic relations, foreign aid, and investment flows. It positions the country as a site of ongoing crisis requiring international scrutiny.
3. Social Significance: Communities affected by violence perceive CPC labelling as recognition of their suffering. Conversely, some stakeholders view the label as an external critique of sovereignty, creating tension between domestic governance and international pressure.
Interplay of Killings, Impunity, and CPC Status
The continuity of mass killings under both Buhari and Tinubu administrations highlights structural gaps in justice and governance:
Impunity: Thousands of violent deaths from herder attacks and insurgency remain largely unprosecuted.
State credibility: The inability to respond effectively undermines public confidence in governance.
Cycle of violence: Persistent insecurity and lack of accountability encourage retaliation, ethnic tension, and vigilantism.
Policy and Governance Lessons
Strengthen institutions: Police, military, and judiciary must be empowered to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and prosecute perpetrators.
Conflict prevention: Establish early-warning mechanisms, community dialogues, and equitable resource-sharing frameworks.
Integrated policy approach: Security, economic, and social interventions should be coordinated to address root causes of violence.
Civil society engagement: NGOs, traditional authorities, and community leaders are crucial for bridging gaps between state policies and local realities.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s CPC designation is a reflection of persistent violence, impunity, and governance failure. The mass killings under Buhari and Tinubu administrations demonstrate the challenges in enforcing security, accountability, and human rights protections. Beyond rhetoric and symbolism, the CPC label highlights systemic deficits that require tangible reforms in security governance, justice enforcement, and community resilience. Addressing these issues is critical to breaking cycles of violence, restoring citizen trust, and improving Nigeria’s international credibility.
References
Amnesty International. (2025). Nigeria: Mounting death toll from unchecked attacks by armed groups. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/05/nigeria-mounting-death-toll-unchecked-attacks-armed-groups
United States Congress. H.Res. 220 – 119th Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/220/text
US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Nigeria Report 2019.
Toba Alabi is Professor of Political Science, Defence and Security Studies.(08036787582)
5 November, 2025
