A Call to Reflect and Combat Insurgency

In recent weeks, many Nigerians have experienced heightened difficulties as various challenges converge to create a more trying period. First, the significant hike in petrol prices stemming from the US and Israel's military actions in Iran has drastically impacted the cost of living, with pump prices soaring from a stable N890 to as high as N1,500 per liter. This increase has severely affected transportation costs, exacerbating the already challenging economic situation for countless citizens.

Consequently, insecurity has also escalated, undermining earlier progress that had been made in addressing the issue. Despite several military interventions aimed at curtailing violence, Boko Haram forces are re-emerging decisively in the North-East, particularly in Borno State. Additionally, the menace of kidnappings continues unabated, while banditry in the North-West and Central regions shows no signs of abating, driving many communities back to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Recent reports indicate that an ambush in the Giro Masa community, located in Kebbi State, resulted in the deaths of at least 11 soldiers and a police officer. This tragic event occurred during the night on March 24, 2026, as security forces engaged with suspected gunmen at a construction site following an intelligence tip-off. Unfortunately, the soldiers were ambushed, leading to fatalities and the destruction of two military vehicles.

According to accounts from the Daily Trust, a series of violent attacks on military positions and key roadways across Borno and Adamawa states have resulted in the deaths of no fewer than 56 soldiers and injury to 28 others within a short span (January to March 2026). Notably, six soldiers were killed on January 4, 2026, when insurgents attacked on the Damask-Kareto road, followed by five more fatalities due to a suicide bombing on January 19 in the Timbuktu Triangle region of Borno.

The situation became increasingly dire on January 23, 2026, when eight soldiers died in Damask town, with another five falling to gunfire in Wajirko village on January 29. Near Jakana in Auno, six soldiers were killed on February 6, and ten days later, an assault on a military outpost in Cross Kauwa village resulted in eight deaths and 23 injuries in one of the most devastating singular attacks recorded recently.

The toll from the ongoing conflict is unsustainable for both citizens and the armed forces engaged in this relentless battle against insurgents and criminal factions. There is a general expectation among the populace that military leaders possess the capabilities necessary to eradicate these threats. The recent appeal made by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar, alongside the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, urging an end to the prolonged insurgency and associated criminality, underscores the urgency of this crisis.

Given the frequency of these attacks, it is undeniable that Nigeria is undergoing severe tribulations. Issues affecting the nation should not be politicized; doing so detracts from our collective progress and hinders the solutions we seek as a country.

While it is crucial to analyze these events from multiple angles, it is vital to incorporate a spiritual perspective as well. The Qur'an states that divine favor is withheld only when a people turn disobedient. The levels of injustice perpetrated in Nigeria, sometimes unchecked, may suggest that there is anger from the divine due to our actions. As specified in Qur'an 8:53, blessings are not removed unless the people's ways change spiritually and morally.

Throughout history, some civilizations faced destruction due to singular transgressions. For instance, the people of Prophet Luut faced divine judgment for their immoral acts, whereas the Thamud perished for killing the she-camel sent by Prophet Salih. These stories remind us that the challenges we currently face may be a reflection of collective wrongdoing.

As we advocate for military action against insurgents and bandits, we must also instill a sense of moral accountability within ourselves to address the injustices within our society. Redirecting efforts towards personal change rather than solely societal reformation could serve the greater good. A saying goes: 'The greatest struggle is against oneself.' Furthermore, the journey of self-change often surpasses the pursuit of altering wider systems or institutions.

Let’s commit to living in accordance with the principles laid out in the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Typifying righteousness in our thoughts and deeds and fostering love over injustice should be paramount. The rate of injustice in Nigeria today is alarming, and the societal re-establishment of equity is crucial for divine assistance in overcoming our challenges. May Allah (SWT) bestow mercy upon us and grant us the necessary aid to navigate these national troubles, amin.