Nigeria is currently experiencing an escalating security crisis, marked by two significant and tragic incidents: the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the execution of a high-ranking military officer, Brigadier-General M Uba, by ISWAP terrorists in Borno State. These events have sparked widespread condemnation and intensified criticism of the government's ability to protect its citizens.

Early Monday morning, no fewer than 25 schoolgirls were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack, carried out by heavily armed bandits around 4-5 am, saw assailants storm the school, engage police officers in a fierce gun battle, scale the perimeter fence, and forcibly remove students from their hostel. Tragically, the school's Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed during the assault, and another staff member, Ali Shehu, sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand.

Global human rights body, Amnesty International, vehemently condemned the Kebbi abduction, describing it as another tragic consequence of the Nigerian government’s persistent failure to protect its citizens from armed groups. Amnesty highlighted that the incident is a "shocking indictment of the authorities’ persistent failure to protect people from attacks by armed groups that have killed thousands of Nigerians in the last decade." The organization criticized the government for lacking an effective strategy to curb growing insecurity and failing to implement adequate school security measures despite a long history of mass abductions targeting children. Amnesty urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts for the safe release and return of the abducted students, undertake thorough and transparent investigations into recurring abductions, bring perpetrators to justice in fair trials, and ensure a safe learning environment to prevent the normalization of child abductions, reminding the government of its obligations under international law.

Political figures also voiced strong disapproval. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed his devastation, calling the Kebbi incident a painful reminder of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation and the increasing vulnerability of schoolchildren. Similarly, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore slammed the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for its perceived failure to secure Nigerians, criticizing the President's silence on the tragedy. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemned the abduction, stating it "further highlights the alarming rise in insecurity that has become the lived reality of the majority of Nigerians under the Tinubu-led APC administration, which has consistently preferred the politicisation of governance over the protection of citizens."

In response to the Kebbi abduction, President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to immediately rescue the 25 female students. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed President Tinubu's strong condemnation of the attack, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to safeguarding all Nigerians, especially schoolchildren. The President issued "clear directives" for security and intelligence agencies to locate and safely recover the abducted students, emphasizing that perpetrators must be brought to justice. He also noted that Nigeria is deepening security cooperation through ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to strengthen border security and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.

Adding to the nation's security woes, Brigadier-General M Uba, a Nigerian Army commander, was captured and killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists. The tragic incident occurred along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State, shortly after the General had participated in a successful joint air-ground offensive against insurgents. Reports indicate that his communication with superiors, confirming he was safe and regrouping, may have inadvertently exposed his coordinates, leading to his capture and summary execution after a brief interrogation. The ambush by ISWAP fighters on a military convoy on Damboa Road also resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), with 17 military motorcycles seized.

Poignant details have emerged regarding Brigadier-General Uba's final moments. In a WhatsApp chat, he maintained a composed and determined demeanor as rescue efforts were underway. He inquired about his rescue, stating, "Are they going to pick me or direct me on where to go?" As his battery life dwindled, he provided updates and tried to make himself visible to the air component, sending his last words: "Sir, I am on foot, but once I see the aircraft, I can raise my peak cap." Contact was lost shortly after these messages.

While the army spokesperson initially denied reports of Uba's abduction, claiming he battled insurgents with superior firepower and returned to base, Reuters later confirmed the terrorist group's claim of responsibility for the ambush and execution through its Amaq propaganda channel. Following the incident, top military brass, including Operation Hadin Kai Theatre Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, stormed the Damboa base to coordinate rescue efforts, and Brigadier General Mustapha was appointed to lead the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa. General Uba, along with three other soldiers, was initially abducted, with one soldier later shot and left behind, and one reportedly freed; however, the General and two others remained missing until his death was confirmed.

The killing of General Uba, alongside the Kebbi abductions, has intensified criticism against President Tinubu for the country's worsening security landscape. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expanded his condemnation, warning that Nigeria is sliding deeper into an unprecedented security collapse. He cited the tragedies in Kebbi and Zamfara, as well as ongoing bloodshed in Plateau, Benue, and Kano, as symptomatic of a country losing control of its security environment. Atiku urged the government to urgently review and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, deploying adequate personnel to vulnerable communities and intensifying intelligence-led operations, stating, "Our citizens deserve protection, dignity, and peace — nothing less."

The combined weight of these atrocities underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective strategy to address Nigeria's pervasive insecurity. Calls for accountability, swift justice for perpetrators, robust security measures for schools, and a more responsive government remain paramount to restore peace and confidence among the populace.