Unprotected protectors
An investigative Daily Trust report highlighted increased police vulnerability in the face of the country’s security crisis. According to the report, attacks on “police stations, checkpoints and patrol teams” across
An investigative Daily Trust report highlighted increased police vulnerability in the face of the country’s security crisis. According to the report, attacks on “police stations, checkpoints and patrol teams” across the nation claimed no fewer than 45 Nigeria Police Force officers over the past year.
The list of incidents, spanning 2025 and the opening weeks of 2026, showed that the protectors were unprotected.
In January alone, four significant incidents occurred. The report said on January 4, 2026, “terrorists attacked a security outpost manned by the Nigeria Police Border Patrol Team at New Kalli village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The attack occurred around midnight, less than 48 hours after dozens of traders and farmers were killed at Kasuwan Daji, also in Borgu. During the attack, a police outpost was reportedly burnt.”
On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, “bandits ambushed a police patrol team from the 27 Police Mobile Force in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing three officers, including an ASP and injuring others. The attackers reportedly trailed the unit on motorbike before opening fire.”
On January 10, 2026, “gunmen attacked the Obajana Police Division in Kogi State, but were repelled by the police.”
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In late January, in Oyo State, “a patrol team was ambushed by an armed gang… at the Budo Masalasi Border Post, resulting in the killing of an inspector of police, Aliu Oluwole.”
The report also noted that on February 1, 2026, “terrorists reportedly attacked the divisional police station in Agwara town, headquarters of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. During the attack, no fewer than six persons were kidnapped; while the station and a police patrol van were completely burnt.”
Reacting to the surge in violence last year, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun warned during a September conference with senior police officers in Abuja: “Attacks on our personnel are unacceptable. We do not condone any form of assault on police officers performing their legitimate functions.”
This warning went unheeded, as attacks not only persisted but grew in intensity. Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Adisa Bolanta was quoted attributing the violence to “deep structural weaknesses.” According to the report, Bolanta identified several critical gaps, including poor coverage, manpower shortages, inadequate funding, weak logistics, and a lack of political will.
The authorities must urgently address this apparent siege on the police. If the protectors are unprotected, what happens to the people they are supposed to protect?