What is the Value of Human Life in Nigeria?

Obinna Chima

Is Nigeria under siege? This is the question sensible close watchers of events in the country will be asking after going through disturbing reports on the massive killings in Plateau State in the past few days. These horrible incidents paint a grim picture that underscores the urgent need for peace, security, and justice in the country.

Unfortunately, judging by the way we react to such news these days, it appears Nigerians are now numb to the daily slaughter of their fellow human beings, as the situation is hardly greeted with outrage. If it happens in the north, those in the south hardly discuss it, and when they do, it is not with the level of seriousness such atrocities require. When it occurs in the south, it is hardly a major topic at workplaces or on the streets. That is what we have become as a nation. Killings have now become a constant companion for many Nigerians.

For instance, how will you describe a situation where newspaper headlines are screaming that at least 51 people were killed by gunmen in the early hours of Monday in Plateau State, and we all move about as if things are normal? Fifty-one persons! Just last week, a different set of 52 persons were also reported killed and nearly 2,000 others displaced after several days of attacks in the same Plateau, which has a history of violence between farmers and cattle herders.

According to Amnesty International, in Plateau State, from December 2023 to February 2024, at least 1,336 people were killed, and out of those killed, 533 were women, 263 were children, and 540 were men, while over 29,554 people were displaced.

While Nigerians were yet to come to terms with what is happening in Plateau State, news reports emerged that the death toll from Tuesday evening’s deadly attack on Otobi community in Akpa district of Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State has risen to 11, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Ethno-religious and communal conflicts have been identified as significant drivers of these killings in both states, as these conflicts often involve competing claims over resources, political power, and land.

Regrettably, beyond Plateau and Benue, hardly does any day pass without news headlines featuring stories of gory mass murders and senseless killings. Available data compiled from media reports by the HumAngle Tracker, showed that no fewer than 1,420 people were killed and 537 others kidnapped in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025. The number ranged from those who were burnt to death in road accidents, beaten to death during domestic disputes, violent clashes between commercial motorcyclists and police officers; killed in the hands of kidnappers, terrorist attacks, deaths due to tanker explosions and fire accidents, communal wars over land and boundary disputes, clashes between farmers, herders, cultists, among several other violent killings.

These statistics are alarming. Boko Haram’s insurgency has claimed and continues to claim thousands of lives, while banditry and kidnappings have become routine in other parts of the country. As a result of the ongoing incessant killings and communal clashes in various regions of the country, one is forced to ask: What is the actual value of human life in Nigeria? What is driving this disregard for human life? The spate of killings has converted a large number of Nigerians, even within their nation, into refugees and internally displaced persons.

Insecurity has undoubtedly emerged as the biggest problem confronting Nigeria, and its leaders cannot continue to pretend that all is well. Whatever the government seems to be doing to contain this menace is not working, as lives are cut short senselessly daily.

The pervasive insecurity breeds a climate of fear and distrust. It stifles economic growth and hinders social cohesion. How can we build a prosperous and united Nigeria when the lives of the citizens are treated with such apparent disregard? The sheer scale of these atrocities, the brazenness of the perpetrators, and the often inadequate response from security agencies raise serious questions about the state’s capacity and commitment to protecting its citizens.

The underlying socio-economic factors causing the massacre in Plateau, Benue, and other(s)REMOVE states, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality, exacerbate conflicts in Nigeria as they keep the economy stuck in a conflict trap. Therefore, investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development is crucial. Reports show that prosperity in the country does not trickle down to a large percentage of the citizens, but remains at the top, where exceptional wealth is growing ever more rapidly. This remains a challenge, and failure to address it is both economically and socially damaging. To reverse this trend, Nigeria’s policymakers need to foster and sustain pro-poor growth and help raise people out of poverty. The country needs to seize its demographic dividend and channel it to positive use. There is also a need for policies to help diversify the economy and create good, productive jobs that offer the best pathways out of poverty.

President Bola Tinubu, on the day of his inauguration in 2023, promised to make security his “top priority.” In his inaugural speech, he also promised, among other things, to provide security personnel with better training, equipment, pay, and firepower. This is why he must act beyond press releases and take concrete action to protect lives and property.

The Tinubu-led administration must also wake up to its responsibility and address the breakdown of law and order in Plateau, Benue, and some other States. Security agencies need to win the confidence of the people by responding to distress calls in a timely manner, to discourage people from resorting to self-help.

State Governors, local government heads, and traditional rulers must also do more to de-escalate tension in their domains and keep talking to those they are leading to always seek redress from appropriate authorities rather than picking up arms.

The mechanism for inter-group dialogue and reconciliation must be restored to help build trust, clarify misunderstandings, and remove negative perceptions and stereotypes.

Another factor responsible for the killings is a lack of political will. Political leaders should be bold enough to address social injustices in the land. Perpetrators of violence should be brought to justice.

The unrestricted and uncontrolled possession and use of arms in the country is also worrisome. A situation whereby herdsmen and other non-state actors move freely with AK-47 is a joke taken too far, as a gun in the wrong hands is only a few seconds away from killing.

The federal government must do all within its reach to immediately address the arms race going on in the country. The call for the creation of State Police must also be speedily considered.

To significantly reduce avoidable deaths from road accidents and tanker explosions, a multifaceted approach is needed, including improved infrastructure, better training and safety regulations, and public awareness campaigns. This includes focusing on good roads, dedicated fuel tanker routes, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Additionally, investing in railway systems and fuel depots can reduce reliance on road transportation of fuel. Strengthening primary healthcare, addressing social determinants of health, investing in research and innovation, and promoting public awareness campaigns are also very important.

Finally, the incessant killings and communal clashes point to a profound crisis of governance and accountability. The inability of state actors to effectively prevent violence, protect vulnerable communities, and bring perpetrators to justice fosters a climate of lawlessness and emboldens further bloodshed. This failure to uphold the rule of law and ensure the security of citizens directly diminishes the perceived value of human life, signaling a critical need for systemic reforms in security apparatuses, justice systems, and conflict resolution mechanisms to restore faith in the state’s capacity to safeguard its populace.