Opposition ADC Unveils Three-Point Plan to Address Nigeria’s Rising Terrorism Threat
reacting to data showing a sharp increase in terrorist attacks, Nigeria’s opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has proposed a three-part security reform plan centered on intelligence coordination, decentralized policing, and preventive strategies.
The party’s announcement follows the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, which reported a 43 percent surge in terror incidents in Nigeria—rising from 120 attacks in 2024 to 171 in 2025. The report highlighted Borno State as the epicenter, accounting for 67 percent of attacks and 72 percent of fatalities, with civilians comprising 67 percent of all casualties.
In a statement, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi criticized current security management, stating, “Nigeria does not lack intelligence; it lacks coordination.” The party’s first proposal is to establish a legally mandated National Intelligence Coordination System, led by a Coordinator of National Intelligence, alongside a unified Joint Terrorism Task Force. This structure aims to streamline information sharing and ensure timely responses to threats.
The second pillar involves decentralizing Nigeria’s policing system. Currently, policing is largely federally controlled. The ADC proposes a multi-layered framework with defined roles across federal, state, and local government levels, implementing national standards to enable faster responses and greater accountability across all 774 local government areas.
Finally, the ADC advocates shifting from a reactive to a preventive security posture. This includes deploying intelligence-driven early warning systems and dedicated rapid response units in every state to disrupt plots before attacks occur. “The ADC’s focus will be to prevent attacks, not just respond after tragedy strikes,” Abdullahi said.
The plan presents a direct policy response to escalating insecurity under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, positioning the ADC as offering a structured alternative for managing Nigeria’s persistent terrorism challenge.
