Endless Pain: Agony, tears and bloody days under Buhari in 24 months

Last week, Nigerians got the news of the bombing of an Abuja-Kaduna train and the shooting of the passengers by bandits. This type of news has become so frequent under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

In less than a year, Nigerians will vote, in another general election, to elect a successor to President Buhari, who campaigned under the themes of ending corruption, providing security and reviving the economy, but many believe he has failed on these campaign promises.

Kidnapping, killings and other social vices have become so rampant under this administration. In this report, Runaroundnews will look at some of the darkest days under president Buhari’s administration in the past 24 months.

Within the last five days, two prominent clerics have spoken up on the killings, Pastor EA Adeboye of Redeemed Christian Church and Imam Nuru Khalid of Apo Legislative Quarters. The latter was sacked by the committee of the mosque for criticising the administration.

Last week, several members of the ruling party in the House of Representatives also spoke up in condemnation of the attacks. The Chief Whip of the House, Mohammed Monguno even said a “government that fails to protect lives and properties should not last more than necessary.” While the majority leader, Alhassan Ado Dogwa called for Nigerians to be permitted to carry guns.

While the attack on the train has sparkred outrage across the country, it is important to point out that the train attack, which claimed the lives of Nigerians, ranks low in the killings that have happened under the watch of President Buhari in the last 24months.

43 burnt inside motor in Auno

In February 2020, Governor Babangana Zulum was visibly shaken as he looked at the charred bodies of commuters burnt in their vehicles by insurgents suspected to be Boko Haram. The ugly incident happened in Auno, Borno State.

The commuters opted to sleep in the vehicles after failing to reach the town before the commencement of the daily curfew. Nigerians woke up to the news of the brutal killings that reverberate across the country.

As always, the killing only got a long debate at the parliament and a resolution to investigate the matter. Up till this moment, the outcome of that investigation is unknown.

78 killed in Zabarmari

No less than 78 farmers were killed by Boko Haram insurgents in Zabamari, a farming community in Borno State.

According to the late Abubakar Shakau, the farmers were killed because they arrested a Boko-Haram agent and handed him over to the Nigerian security agents. Those brutal killings triggered the call for the removal of the then service chiefs.

Mr Shekau claimed responsibility for the attack and even sent warnings to other communities in the area.

200 killed in Zamfara State

On the 8th of January, residents of Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State reported that over 300 bandits on bikes attacked several communities in the Local Government, leaving in their wake, over 200 people dead.

The attacks were believed to be reprisal attacks for the air raid by the Nigerian security forces.

220 killed in 17days in Niger State

The Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello had disclosed that terrorists killed 220 persons. The death came from 300 communities attacked by bandits in 50 different attacks.

According to the Governor, 165 civilians and 30 vigilantes were killed by the insurgents. In addition, 25 security personnel also lost their lives

22 Muslim travellers killed in Jos

In August 2021, 22 Nigerians from Ikare, Ondo State were returning from Bauchi State, where they had attended a religious ceremony, unfortunately, they were ambushed and killed along Rukuba road, in Plateau State.

The horrific killing heightened the ethnoreligious tension in the State, as many feared reprisal attacks in the aftermath of the carnage. The police had to deploy personnel to the affected area to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

23 killed in Sokoto

In December 2021, Isa Local government in Sokoto State was thrown into mourning as bandits attacked some communities, leaving over 23 persons dead and several persons displaced.

In addition to killings in the North, the southern part of the country is experiencing killings by unknown gunmen, suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network.