Bullets before ballots: insecurity threatens 2027 polls; 5,272 killed in 5 months
Seven months to the 2027 general elections, worsening insecurity across Nigeria is casting a shadow over preparations for what should be a watershed democratic exercise, with a staggering 5,272 people killed in just five months amid a resurgence of terrorist attacks and banditry. Before the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections, rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria has become a major source of national concern, undermining public confidence in the electoral process. The country's security situation has continued to deteriorate with increasing attacks on civilians, schools, and military formations, raising serious questions about whether the elections will hold as scheduled. Data from the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 showed that Nigeria recorded 171 terror attacks in 2025, representing a 43 per cent increase from the 120 attacks recorded in 2024. Terror-related deaths also rose from 513 in 2024 […]
