By: Our Special Correspondent.
The wave of violent attacks, abductions and killings across Nigeria has caused fesrs and despair in the hearts of citizens.
This has equally sparked a chorus of questions from Nigerians, civil‑society groups and opposition leaders about who is behind the bloodshed and why the state appears unable to stop it.

The recent spate of kidnappings, school raids and church bombings has left many Nigerians demanding answers. Prominent amongst the concerns are:

Analysts point to a mix of Boko Haram affiliates, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and locally‑based “bandit” gangs. No group has claimed the latest school abductions, though security sources suspect ransom‑driven criminal networks.

Security experts say schools and churches lack adequate protection, making them lucrative targets for groups seeking quick cash or publicity.

Nigeria’s armed forces are deployed across more than half of the country’s states, while over 1000 police personnel are attached to vIPs , a situation president Ahmed Bola Tinubu , over the weekend ordered the inspector General of police Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to withdraw all the Police personel attached to VIPs and replaced them with Nigeria Civil Defence.

Opposition figures, including an APC chieftain, have called for investigations into alleged collusion between some security personnel and the perpetrators.

Observers cite a combination of weak community intelligence, corruption, political marginalisation and the sheer scale of the humanitarian crisis—over two million displaced and more than 1,900 civilian attacks recorded this year.

Civil‑society organisations urge the government to move beyond military raids and rebuild trust with local communities. “The state must address the trust deficit and ensure that security operations are community‑led,” said a spokesperson for a leading human‑rights group.

Opposition lawmakers have demanded that President Tinubu either seek international assistance or step aside if the state cannot guarantee citizens’ safety. “Our children are being taken from classrooms; the government’s inaction is unacceptable,” said a PDP senator.

The administration has yet to issue a detailed response, but officials acknowledge the need for a coordinated approach that combines security measures with socio‑economic initiatives aimed at curbing the appeal of armed groups.

As the nation waits for concrete action, the questions echo across social media, town halls and homes: Who is pulling the trigger, why are the vulnerable being targeted, and can the government regain control of a crisis that threatens the country’s stability?

The Opposition leaders point fingers at President Tinubu after the latest wave of terror attacks

The fresh assaults – a school abduction in Kebbi, a church attack in Kwara and the killing of a brigadier in Borno – have sparked a chorus of criticism from opposition figures and civil‑society groups.

Yoruba socio‑cultural union  Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé‑Yorùbá accused the Tinubu administration of “losing control of Nigeria’s security architecture,” saying the government’s decision to shut schools is a sign that terrorists are now “dictating” security priorities  The union called for President Tinubu’s resignation, arguing the administration lacks the political will and strategy to confront armed groups 

Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi echoed that sentiment, telling reporters that the Tinubu government “has no political will to curb incessant killings and terrorist attacks” and that its failure to act has emboldened militants  . The African Democratic Congress (ADC) added that blaming U.S. President Donald Trump for the attacks is a “shameful abdication of responsibility,” insisting the problem lies in domestic negligence and incompetence 
In Kaduna state Former Kaduna state Mallam Nasir El Rufai , is blaming his successors in office , Governor Uba Sani, of funding the terrorists groups, through the alleged N1 billion paid for peace negotiations.
The Kaduna state government has given El Rufai one week to retract the allegations or face litigation.

Opposition Parties Accuse President Tinubu of “Losing Control” After Wave of Terror Attacks

A fresh surge of violence – including the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi, a church attack in Kwara and the killing of a brigadier in Borno – has drawn sharp criticism from Nigeria’s main opposition parties.

African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both issued statements on Thursday, blaming President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the deteriorating security situation.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the government’s response has been “a shameful abdication of responsibility,” arguing that blaming U.S. President Donald Trump for the attacks is a “symbolic gesture” that masks domestic failures 

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, called the president’s decision to cancel trips to South Africa and Angola “tokenism,” urging Tinubu to “temporarily relocate to Kebbi or other conflict zones if he is serious about tackling insecurity” 

In response, the ruling APC highlighted President Tinubu’s recent charge to newly appointed service chiefs, urging them to be “innovative, pre‑emptive, and courageous” in the fight against terrorism and banditry  Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Kebbi to meet families of the abducted girls, reaffirming the government’s commitment to rescue them.

The debate now sits between opposition calls for the president’s resignation and the administration’s pledge to intensify security operations. As the nation awaits concrete action, citizens continue to ask who is behind the attacks, why soft targets are being hit, and whether the government can regain control of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the ruling party’s response has been to stress a renewed security drive. President Tinubu recently charged newly appointed service chiefs to intensify efforts against terrorism and banditry, urging them to be “innovative, pre‑emptive, and courageous”  Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi after the school raid, said the president is “deeply troubled” and that the government remains “united, resolute, and singular in its priority” to secure the safe return of the abducted girls .

The debate now sits between opposition calls for the president’s resignation and the administration’s pledge to overhaul security strategies. As the nation watches the unfolding crisis, both sides are framing the narrative: whether the attacks reflect a leadership crisis or a need for tougher, better‑coordinated security measures.