By Emmanuel Nduka
In the last one week, armed terrorist groups have made life unbearable for Nigerians, with particular assault in the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral regions of the country.
The blood-thirsty assailants appear to have mastered the daredevil art of striking, unleashing mayhem on helpless citizens, and absconding unscathed. The posture of the Nigerian Government depicts helplessness, even as the Nigerian Armed Forces is already overstretched, and is doing the best that it can.
Borno
Last Sunday, suspected Boko Haram terrorists kidnapped over 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State. While the exact figures of the abductees remain unquantified, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters said 40, and not 100 persons were taken. Some other media platforms reported the figures beyond 100. “Efforts are ongoing to effect the release of the abducted persons numbering not more than 40,” Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba responded to Heritage Times HT on Wednesday upon enquiry.
The Nigerian Military also blamed the IDPs for not informing Camp Officials of their decision to go beyond the approved “5-7km radius from the camp” to fetch firewood. The IDPs were kidnapped in Gamboru Ngala, near the Nigerian border with the Republic of Chad, while fetching firewood in a bush, after they complained that government palliatives were not sustainable.
The attack came days after Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum, had boasted that 95 percent of fighters with Boko Haram ideology had either been killed or have surrendered to Nigerian troops.
Benue
In Benue State, Northcentral Nigeria, no fewer than 45 persons, including a family of seven, were reportedly killed following the invasion of Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area, by suspected armed Fulani militia supported by local Tiv bandits who are fighting to oust another Tiv militia gang in the area.
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The Tiv militia groups are code-named ‘Full Fire and Chain’. Full Fire is said to be working in concert with herdsmen and some Jukun militia to oust the Chain group.
It was gathered that most of the dead were members of one of the rival militia gangs, while about 12 innocent farmers were caught in the cross fire which also left over 30 persons injured and many others declared missing.
A traditional ruler in the area who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said the bloody fight started on Tuesday morning after a Tiv militia leader in Ukum LGA, kidnapped another Fulani militia leader, one Alhaji Gana and his family members, who were known for banditry and kidnappings, from neighbouring Chinkai community in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.
“From what we gathered, over 45 persons who were mainly bandits have been killed, though we have records of about 12 farmers who were caught in the crossfire. Over 30 others were injured while some are also missing.
“Sadly caught in the cross fire was a family of seven in Tse Adzandeh Mbasaa, Mbajiga, Ityuluv, Torov. They were all members of the Adzandeh family.
“Over 1,000 of them have laid siege on Ukum LGA as we speak. That is why we are appealing to the military to save us before they wipe out our innocent families,” the monarch said.
Kaduna
On Thursday, armed bandits attacked a government primary school at Kuriga community of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting scores of pupils and teachers, and injuring several.
The number of abductees remain unclear, but unconfirmed local sources estimated that up to 287 pupils and teachers may have been taken away after the bandits who stormed the school shortly after the morning assembly on Thursday around 8:30am.
The attack comes a year after the relocation of the school’s Junior and Secondary sections to the town over security concerns, leaving the Primary section to the entire massive compound.
Local sources said many students sustained injuries as they attempted to flee the school on sighting the bandits. Later in the day, the state governor was said to have visited the scene.
After Thursday’s school attack, bandits struck again on Friday, March 9, at a Mosque in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, opened fire on worshippers, and killed two in the process.
A local source told Channels Television that the Muslim worshippers were observing the second round of the Salat prayers when they were attacked, thereby forcing the remaining people to flee from the Mosque.
Bauchi
In yet another separate attack on Sunday March 3, at nightfall, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers launched an attack on Kurmi village in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, abducting five villagers.
The armed men reportedly stormed the village, shooting sporadically to scare away residents in the wake of the abduction.
Confirming the attack, Caretaker Chairman of Ningi Local Government Area, Ibrahim Mato, disclosed on Thursday, that the armed kidnappers initially struck a neighbouring village, before attacking Kurmi.
Among those injured were a nursing mother and former Councillor, Abdulrahaman Jibrin Kurmi, who reportedly sustained gunshot injuries, adding that the duo narrowly escaped abduction.
Mato added that the fate of the remaining five victims, including the former councillor’s son remains uncertain.
Sokoto
On Saturday, March 9, bandits laid siege at Gidan Bukaso in Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducted 15 Tsangaya schoolchildren and one woman.
The Tsangaya (Almajiri) Education Programme is an initiative of the Nigerian government to address the problems of out-of-school children. Part of the objectives of the initiative is to provide quality basic education for the Almajiris and dissuade them from street begging.
Sokoto State Police authorities confirmed the incident on Saturday.
Growing Concern
Following the growing spate of insecurity across the country, the Nigerian Senate last Wednesday reached a resolution asking the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly to urgently seek audience with President Bola Tinubu to find lasting solutions.
Attacks by armed groups across Nigeria have been on the increase in recent times, with residents taking to the streets to protest the ugly trend. Insurgents appear to be reaping bountifully from the menace of kidnapping, as they collect ransom to the tune of hundreds of millions to release abductees.
In the last 10 years, Boko Haram terrorists have killed thousands of people and forced millions of others out of their homes in the Northeast region.
Shortly after the Kaduna school abduction, the UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate stressed that Nigerian children deserve to learn in a peaceful environment. The UNICEF country representative said schools are supposed to be sanctuaries of learning and growth, not places of fear and violence.
“Every child deserves to grow up in an environment of peace, away from the looming shadows of threats and insecurity. Unfortunately, we are currently facing a significant deterioration in community safety, with children disproportionately suffering the consequences of this decline in security,” UNICEF said.
Opposition Accuses President Of Failing In Security
President Tinubu’s main opposition in the last election, Atiku Abubakar has decried the worsening security situation in the country, accusing the Tinubu government of playing ostrich while the country burns.
In a statement issued on Friday, Atiku said the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled government had failed woefully to give the people the basic things expected of a responsive government.
“The problem of insecurity in Nigeria is getting worse by the day. The media has been awash with terrifying news of banditry, kidnapping, and bloodletting that has turned our country into perhaps one of the most terrorised territories on earth.
“The cases are endless, and the problem seems interminable. The APC-controlled government has failed woefully to give the people the basic things expected of a responsive government. It is a clear manifestation of the failure of governance.
“The government has continued to play the ostrich while the nation is plagued by insecurity. While the weak and vulnerable are neglected, the government is making empty rhetoric about reforms. And while our young men are abducted, killed, or conscripted into the army of the terrorists and our women and girls are ravished and subjected to different forms of gender-based violence, the authorities do nothing”.
Captives Will Be Freed – Tinubu
In a statement on his X handle on Friday, the Nigerian President said, “I have received briefings from security chiefs on the two incidents in Borno and Kaduna, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued. Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered.
“To this end, I have directed security and intelligence agencies to immediately rescue the victims and ensure that justice is served against the perpetrators of these abominable acts”.
US Offers Support To Nigeria To Rescue Abductees
The United States government after condemning the abductions in Kaduna and Borno, urged the Nigerian government to arrest the perpetrators and make sure they face the consequences, adding that it is willing to “support Nigeria’s efforts to secure their release”.
