**Blood on Our Hands: Nigeria's Unrelenting Insecurity Crisis** As we mark the first quarter of 2026, a disturbing trend has emerged in our beloved country. The statistics are chilling - over 1,000 Nigerians have lost their lives, while countless thousands more have been abducted in a span of just two months. These numbers are a stark reminder of the pervasive insecurity crisis that has gripped our nation, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and despair in its wake. According to former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, the situation is even more dire than what we see in countries officially at war. The sheer scale of violence is a testament to the failure of our security apparatus and the callousness of our leaders. As Obi pointed out, while politicians are engrossed in debates about power sharing and party structures, Nigerians are busy sharing funeral programs - a grim reminder of the human cost of our inaction. The affected states, scattered across all six geopolitical zones, are a stark testament to the widespread nature of the crisis. From Zamfara to Kwara, Ondo to Benue, families have been torn apart by violence, leaving communities shattered and communities in a state of perpetual fear. The Doruwa Babuje community in Plateau State, where families buried their dead after attacks by armed terrorists, is just one of many examples of the devastating impact of this crisis. As Obi so aptly put it, leadership is not about winning elections; it is about saving lives. Our politicians must elevate human life to its rightful place in our national priorities, rather than prioritizing their own ambitions and power struggles. We must strive for a Nigeria where governance is measured by its ability to protect its citizens, not just by its ability to win elections. Only then can we hope to break free from the cycle of violence and bloodshed that has become all too familiar in our country.