Terrorists threaten Enugu, Port Harcourt in video, raising alarm nationwide

DDM News

A disturbing video surfaced on social media on Sunday, June 1, 2025, sparking widespread alarm across Nigeria’s southeast region.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that in the viral footage, a suspected terrorist clad in what appeared to be military or security agency uniform delivered a chilling message in Hausa language.

The masked speaker declared that his group was advancing toward Enugu and Port Harcourt, both major cities in the Igboland axis.

The threat has further heightened fears about the growing reach and boldness of terrorist groups operating within Nigeria’s borders.

Observers say the individual’s confident tone and appearance suggest he may be part of a well-organised militant faction.

Despite repeated assurances by the federal government and security agencies, the video has raised fresh concerns over the country’s worsening security situation.

Many Nigerians have expressed outrage on social media, questioning the silence and inaction of key authorities following the video’s release.

Security analysts told DDM that the failure of the President and his security chiefs to curtail such threats reflects a growing failure of state responsibility.

They noted that the absence of a prompt and forceful response to these public threats sends a dangerous signal to both citizens and insurgents.

The video comes amid ongoing insecurity across many parts of Nigeria, where banditry, kidnapping, and terror attacks have escalated in recent months.

In many such cases, kidnapped victims are released only after hefty ransoms are paid by their families or communities.

Analysts have warned that ransom payments often end up fuelling the very terror groups responsible for the violence.

“These monies go straight into the purchase of sophisticated arms and ammunition, thereby enabling these criminals to cause even more damage,” a security expert told DDM.

The latest threat has drawn particular concern because of its direct reference to major urban centres in the southeast.

Residents of Enugu and Port Harcourt are reportedly on high alert, with many calling for stronger local surveillance and community protection strategies.

Several voices in civil society have criticised the federal government for its perceived failure to protect lives and property across the country.

They argue that when the state is unable to safeguard citizens, communities may be forced to consider self-help as a last resort.

A community leader in Enugu who spoke to DDM under anonymity said that people can no longer rely solely on government protection.

“If we wait for Abuja to save us, we will all perish,” he said.

Many southeasterners still recall previous warnings and attacks that were downplayed before being followed by bloodshed and destruction.

The current situation, they say, mirrors that troubling pattern.

While security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the video, public pressure is mounting for a swift investigation and preventive action.

Calls are also growing for the government to overhaul the nation’s counter-terrorism strategy, which critics say has been reactive rather than proactive.

In the meantime, local communities are being urged to heighten their vigilance and avoid complacency.

Traditional rulers, town unions, and youth groups have reportedly begun convening emergency meetings to discuss possible self-defence arrangements.

In Port Harcourt, civil society groups have issued a joint statement urging both state and federal authorities to treat the threat with utmost seriousness.

They demanded increased military patrols, intelligence gathering, and public awareness in the affected regions.

The Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) have also been urged to trace the origin of the video and apprehend those responsible.

The continued unchecked activities of insurgents have led many Nigerians to question whether the country’s security architecture is still fit for purpose.

With trust in the state declining, communities are bracing for the worst while hoping that security forces can rise to the challenge.

As of press time, no arrests had been made in connection with the viral video, and no government official had issued a formal briefing.

Meanwhile, fears persist that the warning may not be an idle threat but a prelude to another round of violence.

In the absence of decisive action, Nigerians are left to wonder what other regions may soon be targeted by such well-armed, well-organised groups.

The unfolding situation continues to raise questions about national stability and the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms.

DDM will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as the story unfolds

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