By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
As a co-worker in Nigeria project and an active actor of the 4th estate of the realm whose main aim in the practice is ‘Civic duty and Patriotism First’, it saddens some of us when our men in power sit on the fence to watch Nigeria no more matching its rating and ranking with attendant benefits of being the largest economy in Africa, the most populous black countries in the world and the most populous populous countries in Africa.
Those attributes were unarguably justified and jealously preserved by our forebears till the military era. But when democracy was introduced in Nigeria in 1999, a laissez faire governance attitude took the centre stage, the beautiful image of country began to fade away and Nigeria’ territory everywhere became unsafe for the country nationals till date.
As at today traveling from the South to Northern Nigeria and vis versa by road is no longer safe.
The capacity deficit of Nigeria security agencies started being seen during President Olusegun Obasanjo regime when a strange terrorist group known as Boko Haram sneaked into the country and has been putting every administration on its toes and even the recent instituted administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On August 16, 2023
Eight prospective Corps members and a driver of Akwa Ibom Transport Company AKTC were abducted in Zamfara State in their way to Sokoto for the mandatory National Youth Service assignment
And in November 2, 2023 another prospective corps member, Imaobong Samuel and 11 others were abducted on her way to Kogi State while others occupants of the vehicle were to end their journey in Abuja but ended been taken hostage.
For over 100 days running the Federal Government of Nigeria with its huge budgetary allocation to have the best security apparatuses in Africa has still not been able to fish out these abductors who are within Nigeria territory and are calling families members of their victims day and night to negotiate their ransom.
In Nigeria, all phone lines are registered to facilitate the tracking of a user in a case such as this. That been so, why is it impossible for our security agencies to track down these criminal elements in their hideout?
President Tinubu is Nigeria great hope to turn the insecurity situation around for good, and hitherto Nigerians are not yet dissuaded to think otherwise.
The encroachment into the safety of life and property of a Nigerian should be the encroachment into the safety of the Federal Government of and the sovereignty of Nigeria.
The laissez faire attitude of Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the security of lives and properties and loosing certain territories of Nigeria to terrorists shouldn’t be seen in Tinubu government.
During Goodluck Jonathan administration, 17 Local Government Areas were captured and controlled by Boko Haram and the Emir of Gwoza was ambushed and killed
by the terrorists.
But on March 8, 2012, a British national by name Chis McManus and an Italian known as Franco LamoLinara were abducted in Sokoto state, northern Nigeria.
Because of how valuable the life of each Briton is viewed by the United Kingdom, David Cameron the UK prime minister of that time called former President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately ensure that the Briton was released, Johnathan complied with immediate effect and the two foreign nationals were freed.
This was done because they (all UK Governments) value the safety of their citizens. Moreover, Johnathan expressly went for the release of these two expatriates because Africans value Westerners more than their own.
Johnathan deployed the best military strategy to rescue the two expatriates who were abducted on March 8, 2012, but when they abducted 274 Chibok girls in April14, 2014 he did not deploy that same speed to rescue his own citizens. Jonathan finished his administration with over 50 Chibok girls left in captivity.
A chronicle of breakdown of laws and order, national security negligence, abductions as I will reel out below of only about 60% of these security infractions in Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari administrations should serve as a lesson to learn by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to succeed in his plan to yearn for a secured Nigeria by wrestling the country out from the grips of terrorism.
9NEWS NIGERIA PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO RID OUT TERRORISM FROM NIGERIA
As promised in Part 1 of this report that we will propose some ways out of the quagmire of insecurity in Nigeria 9newsng.com proposes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should as a matter of national urgent importance:
1) Review, probe, investigate and have a critical look into the National Communication Commission NCC registration of all phone lines in Nigeria carried out during Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari administrations.
2) Start a new phone lines registration with capacity to track down all communications made within Nigeria territory or outside Nigeria territory to a Nigerian or group of Nigerians
3) The FG should not always shield sponsors of terrorism no matter who they are. Once found, such person(s) should be arrested and prosecuted
4) Always get terrorists apprehended to name their sponsors. And the identification of a sponsor, should lead to the arrest and prosecution of all others in that syndicate.
5) The rehabilitation and amnesty granted to terrorists who have subjected Nigeria to mourning and bloodshed shouldn’t be granted any longer.
6) The National Assembly should make a new law against those who are guilty of hostage taking for ransom and killing to include capital punishment
FOR THE RECORD 9NEWS NIGERIA REELS OUT BELOW A CHRONICLE OF TERRORISM, NATIONAL SECURITY NEGLIGENCE, KILLINGS ABDUCTIONS ETC IN JONATHAN AND BUHARI ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA
December 15, 2012
Patrick Yakowa Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Gen Owoye Azazi who was a former National Security Adviser to then President Goodluck Jonathan died in plane crash in Bayelsa State.
In 2013, 47 men from South East Were killed and dumped in Ozu River.
2014 several hundred of worshippers were killed in Kano Central Mosque during Friday prayers
In 2014 a plane loaded with thousand weapons and heavy explosive devices was found in Kano airport during Buhari’s led government. Investigation and arrest of owner ended as audio.
February 2, 2019 Osinbajo’s Helicopter Crashes in Kogi State
The helicopter conveying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo crashed in Kogi, The Vice President and other occupants of the aircraft came out unhurt.
May 21, 2021 Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru who was Chief of Army Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari died in a questionable plane crash with 10 other ranking officers in Kaduna State.
October 23 2021:
Jail Break with explosives of Abolongo Correctional Centre, Oyo Town on Saturday, October 23, 2021, two police officers killed
March 2022
Abduction of passengers in Kaduna -Abuja train. And threats from the bandits to abduct former President Muhammadu Buhari and Nasir El-Rufai Governor of Kaduna State if they wouldn’t pay them the expected ransom.
July 5, 2022
Jailbreak in kuje prison
Boko Haram break into Kuje prison and free terrorist suspects
CHRONICLE OF FULANI HERDSMEN ATTACKS/KILLING IN BENUE STATE FROM 2013 – 2018
- February 2013 Fulani Attacked Agatu burning Inoli, Ologba, olegeje, olegogboche, olegede, Adana, Inminy and Abugbe communities. Many lives lost.
- April 23 2013.
10 farmers killed in an attack on Mbasenge community in Guma LGA by suspected herdsmen. - May 7, 2013.
47 mourners gunned down in Agatu while burying two policemen killed the Tuesday before in Nassarawa. - May 14, 2013.
Over 200 herdsmen surround Ekwo-Okpanchenyi, Agatu LGA killing 40 locals. - July 5, 2013.
20 people were killed in a “conflict” between Tiv farmers & herdsmen at Nzorov,Guma LGA, Benue state. - July 31 2013
herdsmen invade 2 villages in Agatu LGA killing 8 villagers allegedly in retaliation for the killing of 112 cows - November 7, 2013.
Attackers strike at Ikpele & Okpopolo communities killing 7 and displacing over 6000 inhabitants. - Nov 9, 2013.
36 locals killed and 7 villages overrun in an attack by herdsmen on locals in Agatu LGA. - Nov 20, 2013.
Attack on communities in Guma LGA, killing 22 locals and destroying properties worth millions of naira. - Jan 20 2014.
Gunmen attack Agatu LGA, killing 5 soldiers and 7 civilians. - Jan 20, 2014.
Attack on Adeke village. 3 dead. - 20-21 Feb 2014.
Herdsmen attack Gwer West LGA. 35 persons killed. 80,000 displaced. 6 Council Wards Sacked. - Feb 24, 2014.
Attack on a Tiv community along Naka road, Makurdi, killing 8 people. - March 6, 2014.
30 killed in Kwande, Katsina/Ala and Logo LGAs by attackers dressed in military uniforms. 6 villages sacked. - March 12, 2014.
Raid on Ukpam village of Mbabaai in Guma LGA. 28 persons killed. Yam barns and farms burnt. - March 10, 2014.
Former Governor Suswam’s convoy attacked by herdsmen at Umenger. He and convoy manage an escape. - March 12, 2014.
Herdsmen attack Suswam’s village in Logo LGA. 22 slaughtered. Entire village sacked. - March 23, 2014.
25 killed and over 50 injured by herdsmen said to be bearing sophisticated weapons in Gbajimba, Guma LGA. - March 25, 2014.
Police recover 7 corpses following an attack on Agena village by Herdsmen. - March 29, 2014.
Herdsmen attack 4 villages in Agatu LGA. 19 people killed, 15 others abducted. - March 29, 2014.
Suspected use of chemical weapons on Shengev community in Gwer West LGA leaving 15 people dead. - March 30, 2014.
19 locals killed and 15 abducted in Agatu LGA. - April 10, 2014.
Over 100 herdsmen attacked 4 villages in Ukemberaga/Tswarev ward of Logo LG, 6 killed,Properties lost. - April 15, 2014.
Attack on Obagaji, Headquarters of Agatu LGA, 12 youths killed. - September 10, 2014.
Herdsmen attacked five villages in Ogbadibo LGA leaving scores dead. - January 27, 2015.
17 persons killed in attacks on Abugbe, Okoklo, Ogwule & Ocholoyan in Agatu LGA by herdsmen. - January 30, 2015.
Over 100 attackers stormed 5 villages in Logo LGA, killing 9 persons in the attack. - March 15, 2015.
Egba village in Agatu LGA sacked by herdsmen,over 90 locals, including women and children killed. - April 27, 2015
28 persons killed by herdsmen in attack on 3 villages at Mbadwem, Guma LGA; houses and farmlands razed. - May 11, 2015.
Ikyoawen community in Turan Kwande LGA invaded by herdsmen. 5 persons killed & 8 others wounded. - May 24, 2015.
100 killed in an attack by herdsmen in villages &refugee camps at Ukura, Gafa, Per and Tse-Gusa, Logo LGA. - July 7, 2015.
1 local killed and several others injured following an attack on mourners in Imande Bebeshi in Kwande LGA. - November 5, 2015.
12 persons killed, 25 others injured in Buruku LGA following an attack by suspected herdsmen. - Feb 8, 2016.
10 killed and over 300 displaced in clash between herdsmen and farmers at Tor-Anyiin and Tor-Ataan in Buruku LGA. - Feb 21-24, 2016.
Over 500 locals killed and 7000 displaced in an attack on Agatu LGA by fulani herdsmen. Over 7 villages razed. - March 9, 2016.
8 residents killed by herdsmen in attacks on Ngorukgan, Tse Chia, Deghkia and Nhumbe in Logo LGA. - March 11, 2016.
Attack on Convoy of Senator David Mark by suspected herdsmen in Agatu LGA. No casualty recorded. - March 13, 2016.
6 people including an APC youth leader killed by herdsmen in an attack on Tarkaa LGA. - February 29, 2016
11 killed in Edugbeho Agatu LG including a police inspector. - March 10, 2016
Two killed in attack on Obagaji Agatu. - March 5, 2016
Houses burnt in Agatu. Security forces prevented killings. - January 24, 2017:
15 persons were killed by rampaging Fulani herdsmen, who attacked farmers in Ipiga village in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. - March 2, 2017:
No fewer than 10 persons were killed in a renewed hostility between herdsmen and farmers in Mbahimin community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. - March 11, 2017:
Seven people were killed when herdsmen attacked a Tiv community, Mkgovur village in Buruku local government area of Benue State. - May 8:
Three persons were confirmed killed by herdsmen in Tse-Akaa village, Ugondo Mbamar District of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. - May 13, 2017:
Less than one week after many people were killed by herdsmen in three communities of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, armed herders struck again on May 13 killing eight more people. - December 31, 2017 and January 2, 2018:
50 persons including nine members of the Benue State Livestock Guards have been killed in fresh attacks on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen after they invaded Gaambe-Tiev, Ayilamo and Turan all in Logo LGA as well as Umenger, Tse-Akor and Tomatar near Tse-Abi in Nongov District of Guma LGA.
COLLATION OF STATE BY STATE KILLINGS OF NIGERIANS FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 2022
A state-by-state analysis of the data provided by Nigeria Security Tracker – NST a project of the Council on Foreign Relations – CFR Borno State recorded the highest number of killings in the country during the period under review as 1,166 people were killed. If killings which took place along Lake Chad basin are taken into consideration, the number will jump to 1,176. Borno was distantly followed by Zamfara State and Kaduna where 635 and 415 killings were recorded. A total of 248 people were killed in Katsina State and 192 people killed in Niger State between July and December 2022.
The State with the lowest amount of killings between July to December 2022 is Kano State where only three persons were killed. It was closely followed by Ekiti State 4 and Jigawa State 5. Both Gombe and Bayelsa States had seven reported killings.
The most affected State with the highest number of violent events with 63 deaths is Kaduna. It was followed by Borno 55, Katsina 39, Plateau 33 and Zamfara 31.
During the period under review, the cumulative number of persons killed in the North stand at 3,371 while 486 people were killed in the Southern region cumulatively in six months.
The killings in the Northern region may not be unconnected to the rise in the rampaging banditry whose reign has brought terror into the land.
The North-West had the highest number of reported killings with 1,377 deaths in six months.
The North-East had 1,355 reported killings.
North-Central
639 people were killed.
South-East: 234 persons were killed in this region.
South-West had relative peace as only 73 people were killed
While 159 people were killed in South-South.
The highest number of killings recorded in the North-West zone came from Zamfara State – 635, Kaduna – 415 and Katsina – 248. Sokoto had 61, Kebbi had 10, Jigawa had five while only three persons were killed in Kano State in the last six months of the year.
OTHER CRIMINALITIES AND KILLINGS ZONE BY ZONE RECORDED IN 2022
NORTHEAST:
The highest number of reported killings were from Borno State 1,166 Nigerians lost to insurgency.
Bauchi came distant second on the ranking oin the zone with 65 killings. Taraba recorded 55, Yobe 42, Adamawa 10 and Gombe 7 killings.
NORTH-CENTRAL: Niger State recorded more killing with 192 people were killed during the period under review. It is closely followed by Benue State which had 167 reported killings Plateau State 139. The state with relative peace are: Nassarawa 18 killings, Kwara 23, Kogi 48 killings while Abuja recorded 52
SOUTH-SOUTHEAST: Anambra – 77, Enugu – 66, Imo – 57, Ebonyi – 28 and Abia – 26.
SOUTH-SOUTH:
Delta recorded 55 killings, Rivers – 33, Edo – 32, Cross River 22, and Akwa-Ibom 10 while Bayelsa had only 10 reported killings
SOUTH-WEST
The region which appeared to be relatively peaceful, Lagos had 22 reported cases of killings, Ogun and Osun States both recorded 13 killings apiece while Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti recorded 11, 10, and 4 killings respectively.
@Source and analysis for killing is from Nigeria Security Tracker – NST which is a project of the Council on Foreign Relations – CFR, and Visualization by Ifedayo Ogunyemi
Written by:
©️Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong, French & English languages Journalist, Researcher, Public Affairs Analyst.
Here reporting @ 9newsng.com
Email: abasiekongabasiekong@gmail.com
+234 8062700985
