Dr. Evans Woherem, an award-winning African technology researcher, analyst, and writer, has proposed a comprehensive and implementable strategy to end terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence in Nigeria, warning that the country’s prolonged insecurity has reached a critical point that demands urgent, coordinated action.

Titled “A Comprehensive Strategy for Ending Terrorism, Banditry, and Criminal Violence in Nigeria: A Pragmatic, Multi-Layered, and Implementable Framework,” the paper presents a holistic roadmap designed to reverse more than a decade of escalating violence that has claimed thousands of lives, displaced communities, weakened local economies, and eroded public trust in governance.

According to him, insecurity has become deeply entrenched in everyday life across the country. “Terrorism, banditry, and criminal violence have become so commonplace that they now dominate daily conversations among Nigerians,” Dr. Woherem noted, adding that while the crisis is most acute in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions, “its effects are now being felt even in the southern parts of the country.”

Citing the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, which ranks Nigeria sixth globally in terms of terrorism impact, Dr. Woherem described the ranking as “a sobering statistical confirmation that terrorism still weighs heavily on the Nigerian state.”

The paper traces the roots of the crisis to the emergence of Boko Haram in 2009 and the subsequent rise of splinter groups such as ISWAP. It recalls high-profile incidents including the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, the Dapchi and Kankara kidnappings, and a series of mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship recorded in 2025.

Dr. Woherem observed that banditry, largely driven by ransom payments, “has spread across the entire nation, creating fear, weakening productivity, and pushing millions of households deeper into poverty.”

While acknowledging the role of military action, the author cautioned against relying on force alone. “Nigeria cannot defeat insurgency and violent crime through arms and ammunition alone,” he said. “Any sustainable solution must confront the internal conditions that allow insecurity to thrive.”

Among the key drivers identified in the paper by Dr. Woherem, are porous borders, arms proliferation, youth unemployment, economic stagnation, and persistent conflicts over land and resources, challenges Dr. Woherem stressed can be addressed through “a deliberate, intelligence-led, and whole-of-society approach.”

At the heart of the proposed framework, Woherem noted, is a call for intelligence-driven security operations, including the establishment of a National Counter-Insurgency and Intelligence Fusion Centre. “Security operations must be guided by accurate, actionable intelligence rather than fear-led mass actions that often harm civilians and undermine public trust,” he stated.

The paper also advocates comprehensive policing reforms, including the creation of constitutionally backed state police systems supported by a more specialized federal police structure. “Nigeria’s over-centralised policing model is structurally incapable of effectively addressing widespread criminality across such a vast and diverse country.”

Recognising the realities at the grassroots, Woherem calls for the formal regulation of community-based security groups, and noted that “ignoring vigilante groups is dangerous, and banning them outright is unrealistic,” but stressed that their roles must be clearly defined, regulated, and subject to strict oversight.

On border security, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, the author warned that instability in neighbouring countries continues to fuel Nigeria’s insecurity. “No permanent solution is possible without deep regional cooperation,” he said, advocating an Integrated Border Management system supported by joint operations with neighbouring states.

The paper places strong emphasis on prevention through economic inclusion, youth employment, and skills development. “Jobs and income remain the most powerful tools for preventing recruitment into violent groups,” Dr. Woherem asserted, adding that immediate livelihood opportunities significantly weaken the appeal of extremist narratives.

He also called for structured deradicalisation and reintegration programmes, noting that “a humane, community-accepted process is essential for breaking cycles of violence and preventing relapse into extremism.”

Dr. Woherem further emphasised the need for governance reforms and accountability in the security sector. “Without transparency, oversight, and institutional integrity, even the best security strategies will fail,” he warned.

The white paper outlines a phased implementation plan from 2025 to 2030, beginning with intelligence fusion, pilot state police initiatives, community security registration, drone surveillance, and financial crackdowns on terror networks, before expanding into nationwide reforms and long-term consolidation.

Concluding, Dr. Woherem expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s future. “Nigeria can overcome this prolonged phase of insecurity,” he said, “but only through political will, coordinated institutions, and the active participation of society.”

He added that the proposed framework offers “a realistic pathway to restoring security, rebuilding public trust, and unlocking Nigeria’s vast human and economic potential.”

Banks across the country have raised fresh warnings to customers over the rising risk of digital fraud linked to the use of public Wi-Fi networks for banking and payment transactions, particularly during the festive season when electronic spending typically surges.

Wi-Fi

In customer advisories issued ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, banks cautioned that fraudsters are increasingly exploiting unsecured public internet networks in places such as airports, hotels, shopping malls and restaurants to gain unauthorised access to bank accounts.

Access Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest banks, over the weekend, via emails, alerted customers that the holiday period remains a prime window for cybercriminals seeking to harvest sensitive financial information through compromised networks.

“The festive season is here and there is no better time to keep your account safe. Please do not share your PIN, OTP, CVV, or full card number with anyone no matter how tempting the offer is. Verify transaction alerts via the Accessmore app and avoid using public Wi-fi for banking transactions”, the bank stated.

According to cybersecurity experts, public Wi-Fi networks can allow attackers to deploy techniques such as “man-in-the-middle” attacks, where fraudsters intercept communications between users and banking platforms, potentially stealing login credentials or transaction details.

Nigeria’s banking sector has continued to grapple with rising digital fraud as the adoption of mobile banking, instant payments and card transactions accelerates. Industry data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) show that fraud losses across digital payment channels have remained in the tens of billions of naira annually, with spikes typically recorded during peak spending periods such as year-end festivities.

Banks say the growing sophistication of fraud schemes has made customer awareness a critical line of defence, especially as criminals increasingly target behavioural lapses rather than technical loopholes.

Access Bank advised customers to verify all transaction alerts through its AccessMore app and to act swiftly if suspicious activity is detected. “Block your account immediately by dialing *901*911# or chat with us via the LiveChat icon on AccessMore if you suspect your account has been compromised,” it said.

Other banks are also reinforcing similar messages, urging customers to rely on secure mobile data or trusted private networks for financial transactions, while avoiding links, offers or messages that promise unusually high returns or urgent payment requests.

Analysts note that while banks have invested heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure, fraud prevention remains a shared responsibility between financial institutions and customers.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has continually stressed that there was a need for Fintech innovation, collaboration and trust as it will shape Nigeria’s digital financial future, while insisting on regulatory compliance among Fintech players.

Its Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, while speaking during a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the ongoing Nigeria Fintech Week 2025 in Lagos, themed: ‘The Fintech Ecosystem Symphony: Orchestrating Nigeria’s Digital Future’, organised by Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR), explained that the Nigerian Fintech ecosystem would require harmony between innovators and regulators, between inclusion and security, and between competition and collaboration, adding that only through such balance can Nigeria orchestrate a future that advances innovation, strengthens trust, and enhances financial inclusion.

As digital payments continue to dominate Nigeria’s retail and commercial transactions, banks say vigilance will be key to preventing festive cheer from turning into financial loss. For customers, banks stress that caution, verification and restraint, especially on unsecured networks, remain the most effective safeguards against fraud.