By Lillian Okenwa
A viral social media post falsely attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred outrage in Nigeria, but beyond its inauthenticity, analysts say it reflects a deeper truth: a country grappling with escalating insecurity.
The fabricated post, widely circulated online, accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to respond decisively to deadly attacks in Maiduguri while on a state visit to the United Kingdom.
“The situation in Nigeria is a TOTAL DISASTER… Massive, coordinated suicide bombings tonight in Maiduguri,” the fake message read, criticising Tinubu for remaining abroad during a national crisis.
Though debunked, the post has amplified public anger at a time when multiple security incidents are unfolding across the country.
Airport Runway Breach Sparks Panic
On Monday, a separate security breach at Akure Airport in Ondo State underscored growing fears.
Suspected bandits chasing farmers from nearby farmlands reportedly forced their way toward the runway, prompting panic as civilians ran toward restricted aviation zones seeking safety.
Air traffic officials quickly alerted security agencies, triggering a coordinated response involving the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Aviation Security, and the Nigerian Air Force.
Four suspects were arrested after a search of nearby forest areas.
In a distress alert, a NAMA staff member warned: “Bandits entered the airport runway. The security of our staff is at stake.”
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, confirmed the arrests and said the incident reinforces the urgency of tightening airport perimeter security nationwide.
Deadly Blasts Return to Maiduguri
Hours later, coordinated explosions rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in what authorities suspect to be a renewed offensive by Boko Haram.
The blasts struck high-traffic locations, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, the Monday Market, and a post office, at a time when residents were returning home after breaking their fast.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that at least 23 people were killed, with 146 others injured.
So far, about 169 victims have been evacuated to hospitals across the city.
For many residents, the attacks mark a disturbing return to a past defined by insurgent violence.
176 Abducted, ₦3.52 Billion Ransom
In Kwara State, a separate crisis continues to unfold.
Community sources say 176 residents abducted from Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area remain in captivity months after a large-scale raid by suspected terrorists.
The kidnappers are demanding ₦20 million per victim, bringing the total ransom to ₦3.52 billion.
Negotiations, sources say, have stalled.
“The government is not willing to pay that amount, so discussions are continuing quietly,” one source said.
Families of the abducted say they have received little information, deepening fears that some captives, especially pregnant women and children, may not survive the harsh conditions.
“We are living in fear every day,” a relative said. “We have heard nothing from the terrorists or from the government.”
A Pattern of Crisis
Taken together, the incidents point to a widening security challenge: terrorists striking urban centres, bandits breaching critical infrastructure, and mass kidnappings stretching state capacity.
While officials continue to issue assurances, many Nigerians say the gap between government statements and lived reality is growing.
The viral Trump post may have been false, but the anger it ignited is real.
As violence spreads and uncertainty deepens, a pressing question remains:
Who is protecting the citizens?
