The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has lambasted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over its poor handling of terrorism in the country.

Spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC),Bolaji Abdullahi hinged his submission on recent security data to question the administration’s handling of terrorism, even as the President undertakes official engagements in the United Kingdom.

Citing findings from the Global Terrorism Index, they argue that Nigeria has witnessed a rise in terrorist activity in recent years. According to the report, attacks increased by 43 per cent, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025.

The data further indicates that Borno State accounts for a significant share of the violence, with 67 per cent of attacks and 72 per cent of related deaths recorded in the state. Civilians remain the most affected, making up about 67 per cent of fatalities, while security personnel account for roughly 19 per cent.

Some critics have contrasted the government’s response with that of other countries, referencing how Donald Trump personally received the bodies of fallen American soldiers during a recent conflict involving Iran. They argue that recent attacks in Nigeria, including killings in Borno, deserved a similarly visible show of leadership and empathy.

Against this backdrop, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has outlined a three-point strategy aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s security architecture.

First, the party proposes improved coordination among intelligence agencies. It argues that while intelligence may be available, poor inter-agency collaboration leads to missed warnings and delayed responses. To address this, the ADC plans to establish a legally backed national intelligence coordination system, led by a Coordinator of National Intelligence, alongside a unified Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Second, the party advocates decentralised policing. It maintains that Nigeria cannot be effectively secured solely from Abuja and proposes a multi-layered policing structure—federal, state and community-based—with clearly defined roles and national standards to improve response time and accountability.

Third, the ADC emphasises a shift from reactive to preventive security. It proposes building an intelligence-driven system supported by data, early warning mechanisms and rapid-response units across all states, to stop attacks before they occur rather than responding after the fact.

The party says its approach is designed to restore public confidence and strengthen security across the country.