The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has criticised the worsening security situation in the country, urging the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to protect lives and property.

In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmad, the council said Nigerians continue to face killings, kidnappings, terrorist attacks, banditry and other violent crimes despite repeated assurances from authorities.

The group described the situation as alarming, pointing to recent attacks and mass abductions in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara states, as well as the kidnapping of a retired army general and his wife in Katsina State. It said these incidents highlight how vulnerable many communities remain after years of insecurity.

According to the council, many tragedies experienced across the country do not make headlines, while reports from security and human rights organisations show that thousands of people have been killed, abducted or displaced in recent months.

“Behind each statistic lies a human story, a life cut short or disrupted, a grieving family, and a community forced to live in fear, uncertainty, and insecurity,” the statement said.

The council expressed frustration that repeated calls by citizens, traditional rulers, religious leaders and civil society groups for stronger government action have produced little progress.

“Nigerians are tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees, and official rhetoric not backed by action or results. What the nation needs now is decisive action and measurable results,” it stated.

SCSN stressed that providing security is a constitutional responsibility of government and not a favour to citizens. It warned that leaders must either effectively carry out their duties or make way for those who can.

“The time has come for those entrusted with leadership to either effectively perform their responsibilities or relinquish their positions to those who can,” the council saidWhile criticising the government’s handling of insecurity, the council praised members of the armed forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices and dedication.

It also called for greater transparency in the use of security funds, noting that trillions of naira have been spent on defence and intelligence operations over the years. The council argued that Nigerians deserve answers on how those resources have been used as insecurity continues to worsen.

The group urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, technology, border security, inter-agency cooperation and community participation to tackle criminal networks.

“The nation demands action. The time for excuses has passed. The time for demonstration of decisive and competent leadership is now,” the statement concluded.

The Berom Youth-Moulders Association, BYM, and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, are currently at loggerheads following allegations and counter-allegations over violent attacks and killings across Plateau State.

The BYM first raised the concern in a statement on Tuesday over what it described as a misleading narrative by the state chapter of MACBAN where the Fulani group alleged that a gang of “Berom Militias” had attacked herders and their cows in Jos South Local Government Area on Friday, June 5, 2026, where a 15-year-old herder was reportedly killed.

In the statement issued by the MACBAN Chairman in the state, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, accused Berom youths of attacking the herders and killing the teenager identified as Sadi Aliyu, as well as 11 cows at Sabon Gidan Kanar community of the council.

Babayo said the herders were tending to their cattle peacefully when the gunmen suddenly stormed the area and opened fire on them.

“The attack was unprovoked as the victim alongside his colleagues was rearing their cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They shot one herder and 13 cattle dead. About 11 cattle are still missing,“ the MACBAN Chairman had said.

He added that the continuous targeting of innocent herders and their livestock was unacceptable and poses a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State.

But while reacting to the allegations by MACBAN, the BYM in its own statement on Tuesday, said the claims that those who carried out attacks were “Berom Militias” were not only baseless but misleading and unfounded.

The statement which was issued by the National Publicity Secretary of BYM, Rwang Tengwong, stated that on the contrary, Fulani bandits have been on the rampage, invading and sacking rural communities and killing innocent residents.

“Contrary to MACBAN claims, available information from the affected community indicates that armed Fulani terrorists took advantage of the early morning rainfall last Friday to launch an attack on unsuspecting residents of Ful who had already gone out in search of their livelihood before the rain commenced,” Tengwong said.

Citing a particular incident where a member of the affected community was ambushed and killed in a targeted attack, Tengwong said:

“The attack resulted in the killing of a community member, Mr. Jan while another resident, Mr. Silvanus Toma, sustained gunshot wounds on the head and is currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, in critical condition.

“BYM strongly condemns every loss of innocent life regardless of ethnicity, religion or occupation. However, we reject attempts to distort facts, criminalise entire communities and ignore the suffering of indigenous residents who continue to bear the brunt of violent attacks.

“We call on security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial and professional investigation into the incident and ensure that all perpetrators, irrespective of their background, are brought to justice,” the BYM said.