Commentator: Government appeasement fuels Nigeria's growing killings

Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu attributes Nigeria's growing wave of killings to government engagement with and concessions to criminal groups, noting a geometric increase since November 2025, particularly from February 2026 to date.

According to Shehu, attacks now deliberately target both civilians and security personnel nationwide, with Nigeria's security architecture under immense pressure. "All security agencies are overstretched, insufficient in number, and poorly equipped compared to the weaponry in the hands of criminal gangs," he stated.

The commentator argues violence persists because policies reward criminality through negotiations, amnesty programmes, and official recognition. "These senseless killings will only be curtailed when governments stop engaging in what amounts to appeasement and begin treating criminal elements as such," he added, calling for an end to granting amnesty and public roles to criminals.

Shehu also links insecurity to structural weaknesses including electoral malpractice and selective prosecution. When will Nigeria abandon selective justice and ensure visible, measurable fairness for all regardless of status, gender, ethnicity, or belief?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/04/10/negotiating-with-criminals-fuels-violence-mahdi-shehu/