Nigeria security forces face rising attacks as senior officers killed

Nigeria is grappling with a surge in insecurity that has eroded the traditional deterrent effect of uniformed security personnel. Criminal gangs, terrorists and bandits now view soldiers and police as preferred targets, ambushing patrols, overrunning outposts and looting weapons.

Between 2016 and 2026, at least 16 senior military officers have been killed by these groups, including three brigadier generals, two colonels, ten lieutenant colonels and one major. The attacks have spilled over to civilians, with kidnappings, abductions and assaults on schools, churches and other public places becoming commonplace.

The loss of confidence in state authority is reflected in a growing defiance of uniforms, a trend the author links to cultural attitudes and the increasing boldness of non‑state actors. The ongoing violence underscores the deepening crisis affecting everyday life across Nigeria.