"Lawless Country": Aisha Yesufu Decries Rising Insecurity, Says Nigeria Has No Government as Terrorists Wreak Havoc

 

Aisha Yesufu, a vocal advocate for social justice and a leading human rights activist, has voiced grave concerns over the state of security in Nigeria. In a strongly worded statement shared on her X account, Yesufu condemned what she described as the complete absence of effective governance in the country. Her remarks come amid growing national unrest and a surge in terrorist activity across several regions.

The prominent campaigner didn’t mince words when expressing her frustration. “There is no government in Nigeria. Terrorists have a field day!” she posted. This brief but powerful message has sparked intense discussions online, resonating deeply with many Nigerians who share similar frustrations over the government’s seeming inability to protect its citizens.

The post followed a harrowing report of another violent incident in Benue State. Armed men believed to be terrorists hijacked a commercial bus belonging to Benue Links Transport Company. The attack took place at Eke, along the Otukpo-Otukpa road in the Okpokwu Local Government Area. Witnesses say the bus was fully loaded with passengers, most of whom were likely heading home or traveling for business.

According to local sources, the attackers ambushed the vehicle in broad daylight. Eyewitnesses recounted how the hoodlums stormed the highway, forcing the bus to a halt before commandeering it. The passengers were reportedly herded into the surrounding bushes, sparking fears of yet another large-scale kidnapping.

This incident has once again highlighted the worsening security crisis in the region. Benue State, often regarded as the food basket of the nation, has become a hotbed for violent attacks. In recent months, hundreds have been killed in suspected herdsmen assaults, yet the government’s response has been widely criticized as slow and ineffective.

Security analysts have long warned that the frequency and brutality of these attacks suggest a systematic breakdown in law enforcement and governance. Despite assurances from the authorities, many residents of Benue and other troubled regions feel abandoned.

Public reactions to Yesufu’s statement reflect a broader sentiment of disillusionment. Many Nigerians are growing increasingly disenchanted with the government's failure to fulfill its most basic obligation – the protection of life and property. Across social media, people echoed her outcry, demanding accountability and urgent action.

Aisha Yesufu is no stranger to bold statements and fearless activism. She has been at the forefront of numerous advocacy campaigns, including the Bring Back Our Girls movement, which drew global attention to the mass abductions by Boko Haram in Nigeria’s northeast. Her consistent demands for accountability have earned her both admiration and criticism, but she remains undeterred in calling out what she sees as systemic failures.

The recent kidnapping in Benue adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the country. From the north to the southeast, reports of banditry, insurgency, and kidnappings have become an almost daily occurrence. Many of these attacks are carried out with impunity, further reinforcing the belief that criminal elements now operate freely without fear of consequence.

Meanwhile, state and federal authorities continue to promise reforms and improved security measures. However, these assurances ring hollow to many, especially those directly affected by the violence. Families of the kidnapped passengers remain in limbo, with little information about the fate of their loved ones.

Experts warn that unless urgent and decisive steps are taken, the situation could deteriorate further. They stress the need for not only military intervention but also long-term solutions such as community policing, economic empowerment, and transparent governance.

As the dust settles from the latest attack, Nigerians are left to grapple with a haunting reality. The question on many minds is whether the government can still claim to be in control. For Aisha Yesufu and countless others, the answer seems painfully clear – the nation is adrift, and the time for empty rhetoric has long passed.

The situation in Benue State and across the country serves as a dire reminder of the challenges Nigeria faces. The urgency of the moment cannot be overstated. A country of over 200 million people deserves more than silence, promises, and platitudes. It deserves leadership, protection, and above all, peace.