Thousands of communities across Nigeria have been left without effective police protection following repeated attacks on police formations by terrorists, bandits, insurgents and armed gangs, exposing residents to kidnappings, killings and violent raids.
Investigations revealed that in several states, including Zamfara State, Sokoto State, Anambra State, Niger State, Kaduna State, Plateau State, Kwara State and Imo State, police stations have either been destroyed, abandoned or rendered inactive after years of sustained attacks.
The development has created severe security gaps in many rural communities, forcing residents to rely heavily on local vigilantes, hunters and informal security outfits for protection.
Over 1,000 Communities Without Police Presence In Zamfara
In Zamfara State, residents disclosed that more than 1,000 communities currently have no police stations or security outposts despite persistent bandit attacks.
A community leader in Bindin Village, Maru Local Government Area, Garba Sani, lamented that villagers now live in constant fear as armed bandits attack openly without resistance.
According to him, repeated appeals to authorities for the deployment of security personnel or establishment of police stations have yielded no meaningful response.
There are currently over one thousand communities in the state living without police stations. The bandits operate even in broad daylight in my village because there is no security presence, he said.
Another resident of Jangeme Village, Samaila Musa, said many villagers now spend nights in the bush for safety before returning home during the day.
A senior police officer in the state, speaking anonymously, admitted that security personnel were overwhelmed by the scale of the attacks and lacked modern equipment to confront heavily armed criminals.
The officer noted that many policemen often retreat during attacks because survival becomes their priority.
Over the years, several police formations in Zamfara have come under attack. In March 2023, bandits attacked the Maru Police Station and killed the Divisional Police Officer, Kazeem Raheem, alongside another officer, Inspector Rabiu Umar.
In February 2024, gunmen also attacked the Zurmi Police Station, killing the Divisional Crime Officer and setting the facility ablaze.
Despite the attacks, the spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, insisted that all police stations across the state remained operational.
Nearly 100 Sokoto Communities Affected
Findings also showed that close to 100 communities in Sokoto State currently lack police presence after several outposts were either shut down or merged with larger divisions due to repeated attacks.
A senior police officer explained that isolated police outposts had become easy targets for armed groups seeking to steal weapons.
Affected communities reportedly include Mure, Chacho, Bado, Kasarawa and several settlements around the Sokoto metropolis.
Residents warned that criminals now operate more freely because of the absence of nearby police formations.
Anambra Communities Depend On Vigilantes
In Anambra State, many police stations destroyed during attacks by gunmen and separatist groups between 2021 and 2024 have yet to fully resume operations.
Communities in Ihiala, Orumba South, Nnewi South and Ogbaru Local Government Areas were identified among the worst affected.
A community leader in Lilu, identified as Mazi Uzodike, said residents now travel long distances to urban centres whenever police intervention is required.
He disclosed that the Lilu Police Station was burnt down about three years ago and had not been rebuilt.
Residents of Ajali community in Orumba North also confirmed that their police station remained non-functional after it was destroyed during attacks by armed agitators.
As a result, communities now depend largely on vigilante groups and the state-backed security outfit, Agunechemba, for protection.
Investigations showed that several police formations across eight local government areas in the state were attacked during the period of heightened insecurity.
However, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that many affected facilities had been rebuilt and security operations had improved in the state.
Kano, Plateau Residents Lament Insecurity
Residents in parts of Kano State also complained about inadequate police coverage in vulnerable communities.
A police officer disclosed that villages such as Faruruwa, Bakaji, Unguwar Garma and Goron Dutse suffered repeated bandit attacks despite lacking sufficient police presence.
Similarly, communities in Plateau State said years of attacks on security formations had left them exposed to kidnappers and armed gangs.
A community leader in Agingi community, Bassa Local Government Area, John Goje, said security response was often delayed because police officers had to travel long distances before reaching attacked communities.
Another resident, Caleb Tarka, recalled how the Angwan Rukuba Police Station in Jos North was burnt during communal unrest in 2016, leaving residents without police protection for nearly two years.
Police officers serving in the state also admitted that inadequate manpower, poor logistics and limited patrol vehicles had weakened operations in volatile communities.
Terrorists Target Police Stations In Niger
In Niger State, security sources disclosed that terrorists deliberately attack police formations to weaken local security structures and steal weapons.
In February 2026, terrorists attacked the Agwara Police Station, overpowered tactical teams and destroyed the facility with explosives.
Earlier attacks on Konkoso District reportedly left 26 persons dead, while nearby police posts were burnt.
In 2022, bandits also attacked the Nasko Divisional Police Headquarters in Magama Local Government Area, killing the Divisional Police Officer and other personnel.
Although the Niger State Police Command maintained that tactical teams had been deployed to affected areas, residents insisted that communities still relied more on vigilantes and hunters than formal security agencies.
Rural Security Posts Abandoned In Kwara, Kaduna
In Kwara State, attacks on police formations and joint security posts around the Kainji National Park axis have intensified fears of expanding insurgent activities.
Communities in Kaiama and Patigi Local Government Areas reportedly lack active police presence after repeated assaults on security formations.
A community leader in Woro, Alhaji Ahmed Hassan, said terrorists first targeted security posts before attacking villages.
On May 2, 2026, gunmen attacked a Police Mobile Force camp in Tenebo community, killing three officers.
Residents in Kaduna State also reported weakened police presence in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru and Chikun local government areas.
The youth leader of Awon community in Kachia Local Government Area, Manasseh Andrew, said police officers abandoned the area about three years ago.
He explained that residents now depend largely on soldiers located several kilometres away, despite poor telecommunications networks in the area.
Imo Records Mixed Recovery
In Imo State, authorities have managed to refurbish and reopen several police stations attacked between 2021 and 2024.
However, some facilities remain shut.
Security sources disclosed that the Amaraku Police Post in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and the Onuimo Police Station had yet to resume operations fully.
Over 700 Policemen Reportedly Killed
Reports indicate that more than 700 police officers have been killed across Nigeria within the last six years, although no centralised official database exists.
According to a report by SBM Intelligence, at least 497 police officers were killed in 554 violent incidents between January 2015 and March 2021.
The report identified the South-South region as recording the highest fatalities, followed by the North-Central.
Communities Stranded As Terrorists Destroy Police Stations Across Nigeria
Thousands of communities across Nigeria have been left without effective police protection following repeated attacks on police formations by terrorists, bandits, insurgents and armed gangs, exposing residents to kidnappings, killings and violent raids.
Investigations revealed that in several states, including Zamfara State, Sokoto State, Anambra State, Niger State, Kaduna State, Plateau State, Kwara State and Imo State, police stations have either been destroyed, abandoned or rendered inactive after years of sustained attacks.
The development has created severe security gaps in many rural communities, forcing residents to rely heavily on local vigilantes, hunters and informal security outfits for protection.
Over 1,000 Communities Without Police Presence In Zamfara
In Zamfara State, residents disclosed that more than 1,000 communities currently have no police stations or security outposts despite persistent bandit attacks.
A community leader in Bindin Village, Maru Local Government Area, Garba Sani, lamented that villagers now live in constant fear as armed bandits attack openly without resistance.
According to him, repeated appeals to authorities for the deployment of security personnel or establishment of police stations have yielded no meaningful response.
“There are currently over one thousand communities in the state living without police stations. The bandits operate even in broad daylight in my village because there is no security presence,” he said.
Another resident of Jangeme Village, Samaila Musa, said many villagers now spend nights in the bush for safety before returning home during the day.
A senior police officer in the state, speaking anonymously, admitted that security personnel were overwhelmed by the scale of the attacks and lacked modern equipment to confront heavily armed criminals.
The officer noted that many policemen often retreat during attacks because survival becomes their priority.
Over the years, several police formations in Zamfara have come under attack. In March 2023, bandits attacked the Maru Police Station and killed the Divisional Police Officer, Kazeem Raheem, alongside another officer, Inspector Rabiu Umar.
In February 2024, gunmen also attacked the Zurmi Police Station, killing the Divisional Crime Officer and setting the facility ablaze.
Despite the attacks, the spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, insisted that all police stations across the state remained operational.
Nearly 100 Sokoto Communities Affected
Findings also showed that close to 100 communities in Sokoto State currently lack police presence after several outposts were either shut down or merged with larger divisions due to repeated attacks.
A senior police officer explained that isolated police outposts had become easy targets for armed groups seeking to steal weapons.
Affected communities reportedly include Mure, Chacho, Bado, Kasarawa and several settlements around the Sokoto metropolis.
Residents warned that criminals now operate more freely because of the absence of nearby police formations.
Anambra Communities Depend On Vigilantes
In Anambra State, many police stations destroyed during attacks by gunmen and separatist groups between 2021 and 2024 have yet to fully resume operations.
Communities in Ihiala, Orumba South, Nnewi South and Ogbaru Local Government Areas were identified among the worst affected.
A community leader in Lilu, identified as Mazi Uzodike, said residents now travel long distances to urban centres whenever police intervention is required.
He disclosed that the Lilu Police Station was burnt down about three years ago and had not been rebuilt.
Residents of Ajali community in Orumba North also confirmed that their police station remained non-functional after it was destroyed during attacks by armed agitators.
As a result, communities now depend largely on vigilante groups and the state-backed security outfit, Agunechemba, for protection.
Investigations showed that several police formations across eight local government areas in the state were attacked during the period of heightened insecurity.
However, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that many affected facilities had been rebuilt and security operations had improved in the state.
Kano, Plateau Residents Lament Insecurity
Residents in parts of Kano State also complained about inadequate police coverage in vulnerable communities.
A police officer disclosed that villages such as Faruruwa, Bakaji, Unguwar Garma and Goron Dutse suffered repeated bandit attacks despite lacking sufficient police presence.
Similarly, communities in Plateau State said years of attacks on security formations had left them exposed to kidnappers and armed gangs.
A community leader in Agingi community, Bassa Local Government Area, John Goje, said security response was often delayed because police officers had to travel long distances before reaching attacked communities.
Another resident, Caleb Tarka, recalled how the Angwan Rukuba Police Station in Jos North was burnt during communal unrest in 2016, leaving residents without police protection for nearly two years.
Police officers serving in the state also admitted that inadequate manpower, poor logistics and limited patrol vehicles had weakened operations in volatile communities.
Terrorists Target Police Stations In Niger
In Niger State, security sources disclosed that terrorists deliberately attack police formations to weaken local security structures and steal weapons.
In February 2026, terrorists attacked the Agwara Police Station, overpowered tactical teams and destroyed the facility with explosives.
Earlier attacks on Konkoso District reportedly left 26 persons dead, while nearby police posts were burnt.
In 2022, bandits also attacked the Nasko Divisional Police Headquarters in Magama Local Government Area, killing the Divisional Police Officer and other personnel.
Although the Niger State Police Command maintained that tactical teams had been deployed to affected areas, residents insisted that communities still relied more on vigilantes and hunters than formal security agencies.
Rural Security Posts Abandoned In Kwara, Kaduna
In Kwara State, attacks on police formations and joint security posts around the Kainji National Park axis have intensified fears of expanding insurgent activities.
Communities in Kaiama and Patigi Local Government Areas reportedly lack active police presence after repeated assaults on security formations.
A community leader in Woro, Alhaji Ahmed Hassan, said terrorists first targeted security posts before attacking villages.
On May 2, 2026, gunmen attacked a Police Mobile Force camp in Tenebo community, killing three officers.
Residents in Kaduna State also reported weakened police presence in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Kajuru and Chikun local government areas.
The youth leader of Awon community in Kachia Local Government Area, Manasseh Andrew, said police officers abandoned the area about three years ago.
He explained that residents now depend largely on soldiers located several kilometres away, despite poor telecommunications networks in the area.
Imo Records Mixed Recovery
In Imo State, authorities have managed to refurbish and reopen several police stations attacked between 2021 and 2024.
However, some facilities remain shut.
Security sources disclosed that the Amaraku Police Post in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area and the Onuimo Police Station had yet to resume operations fully.
Over 700 Policemen Reportedly Killed
Reports indicate that more than 700 police officers have been killed across Nigeria within the last six years, although no centralised official database exists.
According to a report by SBM Intelligence, at least 497 police officers were killed in 554 violent incidents between January 2015 and March 2021.
The report identified the South-South region as recording the highest fatalities, followed by the North-Central.
Another report by Daily Trust stated that at least 229 police personnel were killed between January 2023 and October 2024.
Security analysts warned that the collapse of grassroots policing across many rural communities could worsen insecurity nationwide.
Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ambrose Jonathan, stressed the need for urgent reforms, including improved welfare, recruitment and logistics for officers.
Security expert Kabiru Adamu also warned that weakening grassroots policing would create “ungoverned spaces” that could become increasingly difficult for authorities to reclaim.
He further cautioned that prolonged reliance on vigilante groups and informal security arrangements could lead to abuse and weaken public trust in state institutions.
Another report stated that at least 229 police personnel were killed between January 2023 and October 2024.
Security analysts warned that the collapse of grassroots policing across many rural communities could worsen insecurity nationwide.
Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ambrose Jonathan, stressed the need for urgent reforms, including improved welfare, recruitment and logistics for officers.
Security expert Kabiru Adamu also warned that weakening grassroots policing would create ungoverned spaces that could become increasingly difficult for authorities to reclaim.
He further cautioned that prolonged reliance on vigilante groups and informal security arrangements could lead to abuse and weaken public trust in state institutions.
