Nigeria Faces Military Crackdowns, Political Scandals, and Rising Insecurity in January 2026
As January 2026 ended, Nigeria found itself battling a perfect storm of crises. The resilience of its political and security systems was truly put to the test. We saw everything from military arrests tied to alleged coup plots and escalating community violence to major political scandals involving high-ranking officials and widespread public anger. The nation is definitely in a rough patch, and it’s clear these challenges could have far-reaching effects.
This past month, significant military detentions made headlines, all stemming from claims of attempts to overthrow the government. Reports indicate that at least 35 military officers, mostly from the northern parts of the country, faced arrest. They’re suspected of involvement in plotting against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Even high-ranking army generals and commanding officers weren’t spared, their arrests only intensifying political uncertainty. What’s more, a Nigerian police inspector was also detained by the Department of Internal Affairs in connection with the same plot. These arrests naturally spark concerns about the stability within the armed forces and, by extension, Nigeria’s democratic future. We hear the military is getting ready to formally charge these officers, signaling just how serious the government views this alleged threat (Sahara Reporters). Beyond internal military issues, security challenges are widespread. Northern states continue to battle severe threats from banditry and terrorism. In Kaduna, for example, terrorists recently demanded a whopping 250 million naira and 20 motorcycles for the release of 166 abducted worshippers, who allegedly faced harrowing treks through bush paths (Sahara Reporters). In Ebonyi State, an armed attack led to brutal beheadings, kidnappings, and homes set ablaze, a truly disturbing picture of lawlessness putting everyday civilians in extreme danger. Adding to these conflicts, Nigeria’s security forces are also struggling with operational hurdles. Firefighters, for instance, had to pull back from a massive petrol tanker fire in Minna. Why? Not enough water, which sadly highlights the ongoing infrastructure problems hurting emergency response. Also, a Department of State Services, DSS, operative opened fire on Abuja residents, leaving two dead and one injured. This incident certainly brings up serious questions about law enforcement accountability during these already tense security times (Sahara Reporters).
Meanwhile, political scandals and governance problems are just piling on. A UK court earlier this month heard explosive evidence, reportedly implicating President Tinubu, Vice President Osinbajo, and other top political figures in the sprawling Diezani Alison-Madueke corruption trial (Sahara Reporters). Closer to home, Taraba State’s women empowerment project was hit by a shocking one billion naira consultancy scandal, allegedly approved unchecked because an ailing deputy governor was absent. In Nasarawa State, many criticized the government for spending over 700 million naira on refreshments while rural water supplies were ignored. It’s hard not to see this as gross mismanagement of public funds. The legislative branch and local government officials are also feeling the heat. The House of Representatives summoned top officials, including the Auditor-General and various ministers, over missing farm subsidy records, showing persistent transparency issues. And when two journalists in Niger State were arrested for exposing certificate forgery by a local council chairman, it really highlighted the pressure journalists face when trying to uncover governance flaws. Social unrest isn’t just a political talking point; it’s a palpable reality. In Abuja’s Bwari area, youths fiercely protested alleged police brutality that blinded a man after a shooting and tear gas attack, demanding the Divisional Police Officer’s removal. Lagos also saw protests, and arrests, of activists fighting forced evictions. When the Federal Capital Territory authorities ordered striking workers back to duty after a court suspended their action, it just underscored the ongoing friction between labor and government. Other troubling incidents, like the killing of a hairstylist in Enugu over accusations of stealing public street lighting equipment, showed how fragile law and order can be in some regions. Then there was the mysterious death of a 27-year-old woman at her boyfriend’s Abuja residence, an incident still raising suspicions.
Even basic infrastructure struggled. The country’s power grid collapsed again, plunging much of Nigeria into near-total darkness and making an already fragile economy even worse. In the transport sector, Nigerians stuck in Brazil accused the Tinubu government and Air Peace airline of a “scam” involving a supposedly fake Lagos–São Paulo direct flight deal. This points to ongoing challenges with international air travel connectivity. Despite all these challenges, the government did make some diplomatic moves, approving the posting of four ambassador-designates to major global capitals like the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey. However, even the President faced a moment of pressure when he stumbled and fell during a reception in Turkey, needing assistance. Many interpreted this public incident as a symbolic reflection of the immense burdens he carries. Moving forward, Nigeria truly stands at a crossroads, needing concerted efforts on many fronts. The government must unite its military and tackle deep-seated security vulnerabilities. Greater transparency and accountability in governance are vital to rebuilding public trust both at home and abroad. Improving social services and infrastructure, while always respecting human rights and addressing grievances, will be key to steering Nigeria through these turbulent waters towards lasting peace and prosperity.
Sources:
- Breaking Firefighters Withdraw From Minna Petrol-Laden Tanker Fire, Cite Lack Of Adequate Water, Sahara Reporters, January 31, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/31/breaking-firefighters-withdraw-minna-petrol-laden-tanker-fire-cite-lack-adequate-water
- EXCLUSIVE: Another Army General, Commanding Officer Arrested By Military Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu, Sahara Reporters, January 31, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/31/exclusive-another-army-general-commanding-officer-arrested-military-over-alleged-coup
- UK Court Hears Evidence Naming Tinubu, Osinbajo, Aluko, Kachikwu In Diezani Alison-Madueke Corruption Trial, Sahara Reporters, January 30, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/30/uk-court-hears-evidence-naming-tinubu-osinbajo-aluko-kachikwu-diezani-alison-madueke
- EXCLUSIVE: How Ailing Deputy Governor’s Absence Fueled N1Billion ‘Bogus’ Consultancy Scandal In Taraba Women Project, Sahara Reporters, January 30, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/30/exclusive-how-ailing-deputy-governors-absence-fueled-n1billion-bogus-consultancy-scandal
- Gunmen Attack Ebonyi Community, Behead Several, Kidnap Many, Burn Homes, Sahara Reporters, January 30, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/30/gunmen-attack-ebonyi-community-behead-several-kidnap-many-burn-homes
- Terrorists Raise Ransom To N250million, 20 Motorcycles To Free 166 Abducted Worshippers In Kaduna, Sahara Reporters, January 28, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/28/terrorists-raise-ransom-n250million-20-motorcycles-free-166-abducted-worshippers-kaduna
- BREAKING: Two Killed, One Injured As DSS Operative Opens Fire On Abuja Residents, Sahara Reporters, January 28, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/28/breaking-two-killed-one-injured-dss-operative-opens-fire-abuja-residents
- House Of Reps Summons Auditor-General, Finance, Agriculture Ministers Over Missing Records On Farm Subsidies, Sahara Reporters, January 28, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/28/house-reps-summons-auditor-general-finance-agriculture-ministers-over-missing-records
- BREAKING: Nigerian Police Inspector Detained By DIA For Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu, Sahara Reporters, January 27, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/27/breaking-nigerian-police-inspector-detained-dia-alleged-coup-plot-against-tinubu
- EXCLUSIVE: 35 Military Officers Including 33 Northerners Detained Over Alleged Coup Plot Against Tinubu Govt, Sahara Reporters, January 27, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/27/exclusive-35-military-officers-including-33-northerners-detained-over-alleged-coup-plot
- BREAKING: Lagos Police Arraign Activists ‘Soweto’, Frank Over Protest Against Forced Evictions, Demolitions, Sahara Reporters, January 29, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/29/breaking-lagos-police-arraign-activists-soweto-frank-over-protest-against-forced
- BREAKING: Lagos Court Grants Activists Soweto, Dele Frank N200,000 Bail Each Over Anti-Demolition Protest, Sahara Reporters, January 29, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/29/breaking-lagos-court-grants-activists-soweto-dele-frank-n200000-bail-each-over-anti
- EXCLUSIVE: Nigerians Stranded In Brazil Accuse Tinubu Govt, Air Peace Of ‘Scam’ Over Fake Lagos–São Paulo Direct Flight Deal, Sahara Reporters, January 28, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/28/exclusive-nigerians-stranded-brazil-accuse-tinubu-govt-air-peace-scam-over-fake-lagos
- BREAKING: National Grid Collapses Again, Plunges Nigeria Into Near Total Blackout, Sahara Reporters, January 23, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/23/breaking-national-grid-collapses-again-plunges-nigeria-near-total-blackout
- VIDEO: Tinubu Stumbles, Falls During Reception Parade In Turkey, Helped Up By Multiple Men, Sahara Reporters, January 27, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/27/video-tinubu-stumbles-falls-during-reception-parade-turkey-helped-multiple-men
- Nasarawa Government Spends N707million On Refreshments As Rural Water Provision Suffers Neglect, Sahara Reporters, January 24, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/24/nasarawa-government-spends-n707million-refreshments-rural-water-provision-suffers
- EXCLUSIVE: IGP’s Aide Bukola Kuti Pushes For AIG Tunji Disu’s Retirement Over Alleged Leak Of N100Million Security Vote Payment To Egbetokun’s Son, Sahara Reporters, January 25, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/25/exclusive-igps-aide-bukola-kuti-pushes-aig-tunji-disus-retirement-over-alleged-leak
- BREAKING: Two Killed, Several Injured In Suspected Nigerian Air Force Helicopter Attack On Niger State Community, Sahara Reporters, January 27, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/27/breaking-two-killed-several-injured-suspected-nigerian-air-force-helicopter-attack-niger
- BREAKING: Nigeria Police Order Officers On VIP, Patrol Duties To Remain On Standby Nationwide, Sahara Reporters, January 27, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/27/breaking-nigeria-police-order-officers-vip-patrol-duties-remain-standby-nationwide
- BREAKING: FCTA Directs Striking Workers To Resume Duties, Cites Court Suspension Of Industrial Action, Sahara Reporters, January 27, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/27/breaking-fcta-directs-striking-workers-resume-duties-cites-court-suspension-industrial
- House Of Reps Summons Auditor-General, Finance, Agriculture Ministers Over Missing Records On Farm Subsidies, Sahara Reporters, January 28, 2026. https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/28/house-reps-summons-auditor-general-finance-agriculture-ministers-over-missing-records
