Nigeria’s internal security crisis has worsened over the past year, with coordinated attacks on police stations, checkpoints and patrol teams across the country claiming the lives of dozens of officers.
Findings showed that the incidents, recorded in several states, led to the deaths of no fewer than 45 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force within the period, according to media reports.
Security experts said the pattern of attacks, from Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East to bandit ambushes, mob violence and targeted assaults in the North-Central, South-East and South-West, underscored growing vulnerabilities within police formations and weak operational capacity.
They also warned that the incidents reflect the increasing boldness of armed groups and criminal elements operating across the country.
Naija News reports that the attacks were recorded in Borno, Kwara, Enugu, Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Kogi, Taraba, Benue, Edo, Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi, Oyo, Ondo and others.
Boko Haram, Bandits Target Police Formations
On January 8, 2025, two policemen were killed when Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Divisional Police Station in Gajiram, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno State.
In Zamfara State, armed bandits in July 2025 stormed a Police Mobile Force station and a joint security post in Gwarin Ganuwa village, Tsafe LGA, where a police team and Civilian Joint Task Force operatives were stationed under Operation Restore Peace.
Despite resistance, a police inspector, Abubakar Mohammed, and several CJTF members were killed.
Similarly, in Kwara State on August 8, 2025, bandits attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters in Babanla, Ifelodun LGA, killing five persons, including a police officer, Inspector Adejumo Wasiu.
Gunmen also attacked the Zonkwa Divisional Police Headquarters in Kaduna State in October 2025, killing two officers, wounding others and freeing detainees before security forces repelled them after hours of gun battle.
Mob attacks across states also contributed to the rising casualties. In February 2025, irate youths set the Ifon Police Station in Ondo State ablaze, while the Ipele divisional station in Owo LGA had earlier been burnt by bandits on December 31, 2024, though no life was lost in both incidents, according to the state police command.
In Kano State, the Divisional Police Officer of Rano Division was lynched by a mob on May 25, 2025, following the death of a suspect in police custody.
Another mob in September vandalised the Garko Divisional Police Headquarters, also in Kano, setting a patrol vehicle ablaze and injuring officers.
Several police officers were killed in ambushes at checkpoints and during patrols across different states.
In Kebbi State, two officers were killed on September 10, 2025 when suspected Lakurawa terrorists attacked a patrol team at Natsini Corner in Augie LGA after spotting them at a filling station.
On the same day, three officers were killed at a checkpoint on the Egbe-Okoloke Road in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State, while two others were killed on September 21 at another checkpoint in Isanlu LGA.
A police sergeant was also gunned down at a checkpoint in Tella town, Gassol LGA of Taraba State, on September 22.
In Zamfara, bandits attacked a checkpoint along the Gusau–Funtua highway in October, killing five police officers and members of the state security outfit known as Askarawa.
In Edo State, a policeman was killed at a checkpoint in Ekiadolor community on November 7.
Oyo State also recorded a similar incident in late January 2026 when an armed gang ambushed a patrol team at the Budo Masalasi Border Post, killing an inspector, Aliu Oluwole.
Police tactical teams were not spared in several operations.
Three officers were killed and seven others declared missing following an ambush at Agu Centre in Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State on September 19, 2025.
On November 22, five officers were killed during an ambush at Sabon Sara village, Darazo LGA of Bauchi State.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ahmed Wakil, said the attack occurred when tactical teams embarked on a visibility patrol to prevent farmer–herder clashes.
In Plateau State, a police inspector, Yakubu Dauda, was killed during an operation in Riyom LGA on June 12, 2025, while another mobile policeman was killed at a checkpoint in Bokkos LGA on July 24.
Police infrastructure also came under repeated attacks.
Gunmen attacked the Awgu Divisional Police Headquarters in Enugu State on March 24, 2025, killing Constable Akpa Emmanuel.
In Niger State, terrorists attacked a divisional police station in Agwara on February 1, 2026, kidnapping at least six persons and burning the station and a patrol van.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the attackers “used dynamite to set the station ablaze.”
Another attack occurred on January 4, 2026 when terrorists targeted a border patrol outpost in Borgu LGA of Niger State, burning the facility.
In Edo State, hoodlums set ablaze the Agenegbode Police Station in October 2024 following outrage over the kidnapping and killing of youths in the area.
More Casualties Across States
Other incidents included:
Killing of ASP Haruna Watsai and Inspector Tukur Ogah during an attack on a mining site in Kwara State on June 4, 2025.
Burning of patrol vehicles and motorcycles after an attack on a border checkpoint in Borgu, Niger State, in July 2025.
Killing of a police constable, Nura Garba, during an attack on a DPO’s residence in Jigawa State in October 2025.
Ambush of a PMF team in Faskari, Katsina State, on January 27, 2026, which left three officers dead.
Killing of a police officer at Otukpo–Ohimini Road in Benue State on October 23, 2025, and four mobile policemen at Udei village, Guma LGA, on June 9.
Killing of Inspector Lasare Jeremiah during a mob attack in Bassa LGA of Plateau State in September 2025.
An attack on a security formation in the Zurak community, Plateau State, in February 2026, which left a soldier and a police officer dead.
Police Keeps Mum
According to Daily Trust, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, was contacted several times to speak on the matter, but he never responded to his calls or messages.
However, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had earlier warned against assaults on officers performing their lawful duties.
Speaking at a conference with senior police officers in Abuja last September, the IG described such attacks as unacceptable.
“Attacks on our personnel are unacceptable. We do not condone any form of assault on police officers performing their legitimate functions. Repeatedly, I have appealed to the public: if you disagree with the conduct of any police officer, kindly report the matter to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
Kogi, Kaduna Police Speak On Measures
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command said it had intensified operations to curb attacks on security operatives and citizens.
The command’s spokesperson, Afusat Saliu, disclosed that operatives, working with other security agencies, vigilantes and hunters, had launched coordinated bush-combing exercises across different parts of the state.
According to her, the operations are part of intelligence-led strategies aimed at detecting, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks.
Similarly, the Kaduna State Police Command said proactive steps had been taken to prevent a repeat of attacks on personnel.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said security measures introduced after previous incidents had significantly reduced threats.
“We have taken steps to deal with this kind of issue. If you look at Kaduna, since the problems that happened before, it has become very difficult for such things to happen again because of the measures we put in place,” he said.
“Apart from the past incidents we had, where we also took some measures, we have not had any similar incident or even an attempt again.”
Experts Blame Manpower Shortage, Poor Logistics
Security experts have linked the recurring attacks on police formations to structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Adisa Bolanta, blamed manpower shortage, poor coverage, inadequate funding, weak logistics and lack of political will.
“The police have a very acute shortage of manpower. That issue, the president tried to address it by withdrawing policemen from unauthorised people. But that has not solved the problem. And that will not solve the problem. There should be massive recruitment of personnel in the police,” the media platform quoted Bolanta as saying.
Bolanta stressed that every police station should be properly equipped with patrol vehicles and communication facilities.
“Ideally, every police station should have a minimum of two patrol vehicles. That is the minimum. And there must be a communication system that will cover the whole area.
“People continue to attack police stations and innocent people because they know the people they are going to attack will not have the capacity to repel them,” he added.
The retired AIG also called for comprehensive reforms, particularly the revitalisation of the Police Mobile Force.
An intelligence expert, Abdullahi Garba, said Nigeria must adopt technology-driven policing to stay ahead of criminal elements.
“Yes, almost all jobs or professions have its own hazard, but security in every society is crucial. That means, before anyone can be saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives, he or she must first be protected,” he said.
“A situation where the officers cannot be adequately protected is an indictment of the Nigerian State that has given them the mandate of protecting lives and property.
“The government needs to fortify these police with necessary equipment if at all they don’t want these officers to be killed like chickens. There is also a need for improved intelligence using technology where possible.”
‘Police Officers Now Soft targets’ – Advocate
Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the attacks highlight both the brutality of armed groups and the vulnerability of police personnel.
He said many officers are deployed without adequate intelligence, equipment, welfare support or operational backup.
“When police officers become soft targets, public safety is inevitably weakened and communities are left more exposed to violence and lawlessness,” he said.
Nwanguma stressed that protecting officers requires intelligence-led policing, improved infrastructure, better welfare and stronger community trust.
“Equally important is ensuring accountability and professionalism within the police, as public cooperation is critical to effective security.
“The state has a duty of care to police officers, just as it does to civilians, and failure to meet this obligation fuels a vicious cycle of insecurity, fear, and repression that ultimately undermines both human rights and effective law enforcement,” he added.