Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads: either reform to restore legitimacy and justice or slide irreversibly into the chaos of a failed state and the Hobbesian “state of nature.” Insecurity as the New Normal Another day, another string of kidnappings and killings. How long must this continue? Kidnappings and killings have become routine across Nigeria. In November 2025, armed men stormed Government Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, killing the vice-principal and abducting 25 students, while another raid on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State saw over 50 pupils and staff taken hostage. Churches have been attacked, worshippers murdered, and ransom economies have flourished. These are not isolated crimes but evidence of organized armed groups acting as quasi-governments in ungoverned spaces. Abuse of Power and Rule of Law Nigeria’s institutions are hollowed out by corruption. Analysts describe the crisis as one of state legitimacy, where insecurity itself has ...
The language we use to describe mass violence is never neutral. Words like genocide and pogrom carry immense historical, legal, and moral weight. In Nigeria, where Christian communities have endured repeated waves of violence, the debate over terminology is not merely academic; it shapes international responses, frames justice claims, and influences whether the world recognizes the urgency of intervention. To understand Nigeria’s situation, we must situate it within the long arc of history, comparing past pogroms and genocides, and examining how international law defines these crimes. Pogroms: Episodic Violence with Historical Roots The term pogrom emerged in Tsarist Russia in the late 19th century, describing mob attacks against Jewish communities. These pogroms were often tolerated or encouraged by authorities, leaving homes destroyed, synagogues desecrated, and thousands displaced. Example: The Kishinev Pogrom of 1903 killed dozens of Jews, injured hundreds, and shock...