Over 521 persons have been killed by terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements between July 1 and October 6, 2023, Sunday PUNCH can confirm, highlighting the worsening state of insecurity in the country.

In just six days in October, no fewer than 14 persons lost their lives in attacks by gunmen, according to tallies collated by our correspondents.

In September, 71 persons were killed; August saw 216 deaths, while the highest number of deaths as a result of insecurity at 219 was recorded in July.

For instance, on October 1, while Nigeria celebrated its Independence Day, a policeman was reportedly killed and four others sustained gunshot injuries after an attack in the Effium community of the Ohankwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Barely 24 hours later, bandits attacked residents of Soro community in the Binji Local Government Area of Sokoto State and killed three persons.

The next day, terrorists attacked the Nasarawa community in the Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one Samaila Mairago, a councillor representing Nasarawa Ward in the council.

On October 5, gunmen attacked Iware village along the Fufore-Jada Road, Adamawa State, killing a family of nine. On September 3, some suspected cultists killed a mentally challenged man and dismembered him in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

On the same day, two police officers, ASP Danjuma Joseph and Inspector Abu Elamaje, were killed, and another injured in an attack by gunmen in Enugu, the Enugu State capital.

The next day, three persons were killed in a cult clash in Ilorin, Kwara State.

On September 2, nine persons were killed, including seven worshippers in a mosque, by a gang of armed men in Saya village, Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The worshippers were said to be praying when the terrorists struck.

Five days later, three persons were killed in separate attacks by bandits in Kamantan and Sabon Kaura in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.

The following day, two persons lost their lives, while six others were abducted when bandits invaded Kwarikwarasa village in the Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

In Rivers State, suspected cultists beheaded a Divisional Police Officer, Bako Angbashim, on September 8, while he was returning from an operation alongside some policemen.

Also, on September 11, gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the Kulben community in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and murdered 10 persons.

The following day, a 70-year-old man and community leader in Ezieke, Akpuka and Uturu in Abia State, Zachary Nmaduka, was beheaded by gunmen at the Amelechi Akpukpa community.

On September 14, four persons were killed, while about 30 others were abducted as terrorists attacked Giyawa, a community in the Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Two days later, bandits raided Dogon Noma village in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State and killed two villagers and abducted three others.

On September 18, a total of 20 young men were sent to their early graves as the Eiye and Aiye confraternities engaged in their usual supremacy battle in Sagamu, Ogun State.

Also, on September 19, eight security operatives comprising soldiers, policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were killed in Umualumaku, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

On September 23, a total of 10 farmers were killed by Boko Haram insurgents, who also kidnapped several others in the Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

On September 27, terrorists reportedly killed six persons in Takanai community of the Atyap Chiefdom, Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

216 killed in August

In August, Borno State led with the highest number of killings with over 125 deaths recorded, followed by Plateau with 48 deaths and Benue with 15 deaths.

Kaduna recorded six deaths in the month; Rivers had six deaths, including the killing of a Divisional Police Officer; Edo, four; Taraba, three; Imo, three; Gombe, two; Enugu, two; while Anambra, Delta and Katsina states recorded one death each.

Eighty-two Boko Haram fighters were said to have been killed in an inter-ethnic clash among insurgents in the Kukwa Local Government Area of Borno State. Forty-one others were said to have lost their lives six days later during a clash between members of the Boko Haram insurgents and the Islamic State of West Africa.

On August 10, no fewer than 20 persons lost their lives and several others sustained gunshot injuries after armed men attacked two villages in Plateau State.

In a separate attack on the same day, three farmers were waylaid and killed by bandits in Funkwa village, Kwambia, in the Yangtu Special Development Area of Taraba State.

July claimed 219 lives.

Out of the 219 persons who lost their lives in July, over 75 deaths were recorded in Borno State. Benue State saw a total of 30 deaths; Katsina witnessed 24 deaths; Plateau, 15; Bauchi, 13; Imo, four; Delta, three; while Abia, Sokoto and Anambra states recorded two deaths each.

On July 6, the Defence Headquarters said its troops killed 49 Boko Haram/ISWAP members in the North-East, North-West and North-Central zones.

Farmers desert Zamfara

The level of insecurity worsened as gunmen began to invade farms and attack farmers in some states.

For instance, bandits have taken over the 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State and have posed a great threat to farmers in the state, mostly in the rural areas, Sunday PUNCH can confirm.

One of our correspondents gathered that hundreds of farmers had been forced out of their communities, and as a result, more than 80 per cent of farmlands could no longer be cultivated this year.

It was learnt that only a few farmers, who chose to pay levies imposed by bandits, were currently allowed to farm in most of the rural areas. This situation, Sunday PUNCH gathered, had greatly affected food production and also resulted in an astronomical increase in the prices of foodstuffs.

Many of the farmers, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, expressed fear, adding that unless something drastic was done, farming activities would no longer be carried out in the state in the near future.

One of the farmers, Aminu Jangeme, said he and several others had left their village and relocated to Gusau, the state capital, due to persistent attacks by bandits.

Jangeme said, “I have no alternative but to evacuate my family and move to Gusau because the bandits are always looking for people to kidnap and get ransom from their relatives. I was kidnapped two times and I also escaped twice. When I was kidnapped for the third time, I paid the sum of N1m as ransom.

“Immediately I regained freedom after the payment of ransom, I decided to leave the village and settle in Gusau. Similarly, my two brothers have also left the village.

“One of them, Bashir, is currently in Taraba State, where he carries out his farming. Most of the farmers in my community have relocated to other places and the remaining ones there pay levies to the bandits.”

Another farmer in the state, Ibrahim Kazauda, stressed that more than half of the residents of his community had abandoned farming due to incessant attacks by bandits.

Kazauda also stated that many people had fled to other places in and outside the state as they could not continue to risk their lives.

He said, “Many of us, including myself, are no longer farming as the bandits have continued to kidnap and kill those who dare to go to their farms. We have been complaining to the state government to come to our aid, but nothing has been done.”

Kazauda also stated that most of those who chose to stay in the village usually sleep in the bush and return to their houses during the daytime.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the comment of the state police command failed as the Public Relations Officer, Yazi Abubakar, did not take his calls.

He had also yet to respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

Benue farmers flee

The activities of killer herdsmen in Benue State have made many farmers abandon their farmlands for fear of being killed, Sunday PUNCH reports.

Several communities in no fewer than 19 local government areas of the state have been taken over by suspected herders, a situation that has made the farmers abandon their farms to instead engage in menial jobs in order to earn a living.

Farmers in some parts of Makurdi, Gwer West, Guma, Logo, Kwande, Katsina-Ala and other local government areas have fled their ancestral homes and taken refuge in camps established for internally displaced persons as a result of incessant attacks.

Speaking to one of our correspondents, a chief at Ikyan village in the Makurdi Local Government Area, Zaki Jaba, said his family fled the village over three years ago and had been taking refuge at North Bank, a suburb of Makurdi.

“My family members and I have left Ikyan village in the Makurdi LGA as a result of the Fulani herdsmen, who came and attacked my community. Since then, I have been doing menial jobs to fend for my wife and six kids,” he added.

It was the same experience for four farmers, Agagbe Saaondo, Iorgbuusu Bem, Ugwu Arize and Jacob Awuhe, who fled their ancestral homes and took refuge in the Agagbe camp only to be attacked a few days ago by the daredevil gunmen they were running away from.

Awuhe, who spoke on behalf of the victims, said, “We have been in the Agagbe camp, having been displaced from our villages. I am from Tse Ugber in the Mbachohor Council Ward of the Gwer West LGA, but fled the village two years ago when armed herdsmen invaded the community and some of us fled and started taking refuge in the NKST camp at Agagbe.

“We decided to get land, which is about a kilometre from the camp the farm, only for some armed herdsmen to attack us early this week on the farm. We are lucky to have survived the attack.”

The state police command said it was collaborating with other security agencies to curb the rise in insecurity in the state.

The spokesperson for the command, Catherine Anene, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on the telephone, said the command had identified some flashpoints and re-planned its strategy, adding that it was working with sources to gather intelligence.

“The herdsmen and farmers crisis in the state is not only for the police to handle. Other stakeholders need to come out and we will look at what actually caused this and come out with a solution. Nevertheless, the command at present is trying to maintain peace,” she said.

Plateau farmers suffer

In Plateau State, the issue of insecurity has continued to be a serious concern to farmers and other residents.

From Bokkos and Mangu local government areas in the central zone to Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa and Jos South in the northern part of the state, the story is the same.

A cross-section of farmers, who spoke with one of our correspondents, bemoaned the situation, adding that they no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked and killed.

A farmer in the Panyam community of the state, Bulus Silas, said, “I have a maize farm in Panyam, but I did not cultivate the land this year because of insecurity.

“I know many people who also abandoned their farms for fear of being killed. Just last week, three persons, who went to work on their farms, were killed by unknown persons and their corpses were later recovered and buried just like that.

“When we cry that the government should come to our rescue and help us address the security challenge in our communities, some people think we are joking.”

Another farmer in the Miango community, Bassa Local Government Area of the state, Grace Moses, expressed fear that the situation might cause food shortage in the state if not addressed.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, did not take his calls or respond to text messages sent to his mobile telephone.

Sokoto farmers’ return

As part of measures being put in place to ensure that farmers in Sokoto State returned to their farmlands, the state police command has expressed its readiness to work with other security agencies to restore normalcy.

The spokesman for the command, Ahmad Rufa’i, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said it was collaborating with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, NSCDC and local vigilantes.

However, one of the victims of insecurity, Abba Ibrahim, a farmer from the Isa Local Government Area of the state, said due to insecurity in his community, he had not been able to cultivate a large portion of his farmland this season.

Bandits overrun Niger

Bandits have overrun Rafi, Munya and Shiroro local government areas, chasing farmers away from their farms.

There have also been pockets of attacks in the Munya Local Government Area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Wasiu, said, “When people see security vehicles patrolling the streets of Minna, they should not assume that it is because of bandits. We don’t have bandits in Minna.

“We are simply ensuring that Minna is free from miscreants, who harass innocent people and deprive them of their property. We will continue to ensure that Minna is rid of these hoodlums.”

The Commandant of the Niger State Vigilante Corps of Nigeria, Nasiru Maja, who also spoke with Sunday PUNCH, said his organisation was ensuring that there were no gaps in securing the state, adding that his men were all over the local government areas of the state keeping the citizens safe.

66 students kidnapped

Meanwhile, no fewer than 66 students of Federal Government-owned universities and serving corps members have been kidnapped between January 1 and October 5, 2023, data compiled by Sunday PUNCH show.

While some of the abductees were freed by security agencies, others paid ransoms, while others have continued to languish in the dens of their abductors.

In February, barely four days after gunmen killed three policemen working with the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, at Iseke in the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State on their way to Abia State, gunmen kidnapped 15 serving members of the National Youth Service Corps in the same community.

Iseke is a border community with the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, which has become a safe haven for gunmen operating in Imo State and parts of Ihiala in Anambra State.

It was gathered that the corps members, who just completed their three-week orientation programme in Imo State, were travelling to Lagos when they were abducted by the hoodlums at a popular filling station along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Ihiala.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, adding that the 15 corps members had since been rescued unhurt.

On April 2, 2023, the Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the abduction of two female students of the Federal University, Gusau, from their hostel. The bandits reportedly stormed Sabon Gida village in Bungudu and broke into the rented female hostel, where they locked up the two civilian guards and dispossessed them of their telephones before abducting the two students of the microbiology department of the university.

In May, the Plateau State University said its security operatives repelled an attack on the campus by bandits, who came at night.

The school management said some gunmen invaded the female hostel of the institution in Bokkos, but there was no abduction.

In May, seven corps members were also kidnapped on their way to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from the NYSC orientation camp in Ondo State. They, however, regained their freedom after spending one week in captivity.

In June, five students of the Federal University, Gusau, were also kidnapped, which angered their fellow students, who blocked the road as a result of which motorists were left stranded for several hours.

In August, gunmen abducted eight NYSC members in Zamfara State. It was learnt that the corps members were travelling in the Akwa Ibom Transport Company bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to Sokoto State, when their vehicle was waylaid by the daredevils.

In September, bandits were said to have abducted more than 30 persons, including at least 24 female students, in a raid around a university outside Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

Though some of the students have been found through the activities of security agencies, others are still in captivity.

On October 5, no fewer than five female students of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, were abducted by suspected terrorists, with the police confirming the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident.

Food crisis looms – AFAN

The President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, confirmed that a significant number of its members had been affected by the widespread insecurity in the country.

He explained that while the association was committed to supporting the government’s efforts towards ensuring the security of its members, it had become necessary for farmers to also be vigilant as well as cooperate with security agencies whenever they felt threatened.

Ibrahim stated, “We do not have exact figures but you can say quite a number of our farmers have fallen into the hands of bandits and kidnappers, especially in the North-East, North-West and the North-Central.

“As you are aware, these kidnappings have been happening throughout the period between 1999 to date with a significant rise in the last three to four years. The exact number of farmers killed, kidnapped and rescued will be very difficult to say, but quite a significant number has been affected.

 “It is continuously sensitising its members to speak out wherever they sense any threats, to be vigilant and cooperate with the law enforcement agents to avert potential menace. AFAN is an advocacy group and not armed, so we are every day soliciting the support of the government to ensure the security of our members as they go about their farming activities, especially in the new effort to make Nigeria food secure.”

Security experts react

A security expert, Chidi Omeje, said the rising abduction of students was a huge embarrassment to the country.

He stated, “Any measure taken to protect the lives of our students is welcomed, including the erection of perimeter fences round campuses. Though it may be capital-intensive, no one can quantify the value of human lives.

“Beyond perimeter fencing, there has to be a coordinated response by the military, security and intelligence agencies. Their presence must be seen around such schools, especially the tertiary institutions.

“The government must see this situation as an emergency. Schools are becoming targets for these miscreants. We need good governance in this country.”

Omeje urged the NYSC management to desist from sending corps members to volatile areas in the country.

FG intervenes

The Federal Government has handed over 40 housing units to victims of banditry in Zamfara State.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, who handed over the housing units to the beneficiaries, said the intervention was part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to provide succour to vulnerable Nigerians.

The minister was in Zamfara to carry out several humanitarian interventions, among which were the handing over of 40 housing units to Internally Displaced Persons, distribution of relief materials, clean-up of the social register and visit to the Federal University in Gusau to console with the management over the abduction of 25 female students recently.

She assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration was committed to ensuring that it rescued the 12 remaining students and improved security in tertiary institutions across the country.

The minister called on the international community to join forces with the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government to adequately address the humanitarian crisis in Zamfara State.

In his speech, Governor Dauda Lawal noted that before his administration took over, banditry was prevalent, which resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, collapsed agriculture, destroyed livelihood, and vast space of the rural territories was effectively controlled by bandits.

Army reassures Nigerians

Speaking on the situation, the Nigerian Army said farmers and agrarian communities had not been left out in the ongoing operations across the country.

The Army said apart from joint operations with other security agencies, it had Operation MESA across the country to protect farmers and other citizens.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH.

He said, “We have Operation MESA ongoing in the 36 states of the federation, conducting patrols, raiding criminal hideouts and responding to distress calls by citizens and communities to check threats to security and protect the populace, including farmers.

“However, the threat to the security and safety of farmers is of varying degrees across the country and has mostly been assessed to be more prevalent in the North-Central with the attendant herders and farmers’ conflicts.

“In addressing this challenge, a joint operations outfit nicknamed, Operation Whirl Stroke, was inaugurated in that part of the country to curb the crisis and to enforce peaceful and harmonious coexistence.

“Operation Whirl Punch is conducting clearance operations against insurgents and other criminalities in Abuja, Kaduna and the Niger axis to protect the communities, which are mostly agrarian.”

Onyema added that in the North-East ongoing counterterrorism insurgency operations named, Operations Hadin Kai, had through effective operations sacked terrorists from their enclaves and recaptured and liberated territories previously held by terrorists, noting that most of the returned IDPs had picked up their indigenous occupation of farming.

“Socio economic life has been restored in those agrarian communities. The same is applicable to the North-West where troops of Operation Hadarin Daji are conducting operations against insurgents and terrorists, who kidnap and take hostages for ransom,” he added.

Source: The Punch