The Anti-Cult Alliance Movement (ACAM) has slammed the government’s response to insecurity in Nigeria, describing it as a “confession of incompetence”. In a press statement issued on April 11, 2026, ACAM criticized the government’s decision to shut down 24 cattle markets in Bauchi State, saying it punishes innocent citizens and fails to address the root causes of insecurity.

“They are fighting the very citizens they swore to protect,” Akin Okunowo, ACAM’s National Coordinator, said. “The government’s approach is treating the symptoms rather than the disease.”

ACAM questioned the logic behind shutting down markets and schools, saying it only emboldens terrorists and makes citizens poorer. The group demanded that the government take decisive action to dismantle terrorist networks, protect citizens, and hold accountable those responsible for security failures.

“The era of security by evidence of failure must end,” Okunowo said. “We need a government that will take the bull by the horns, not one that hides behind the curtains of market closures.”

ACAM’s statement comes amid widespread criticism of the government’s handling of insecurity in Nigeria, with many calling for more effective measures to protect citizens and address the root causes of violence.

The group’s demands include:

- Dismantling terrorist networks and disrupting their financing channels

- Protecting citizens and ensuring the safe resumption of economic activities

- Holding accountable those responsible for security failures

- Providing adequate resources and support to security agencies

The press statement has sparked intense reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing frustration and disappointment with the government’s response to insecurity.

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