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Security & Justice
Security & Justice Report
Nigeria
Public safety, justice, rights and institutional accountability
Terrorism: Nigerians thrown Into fear as kidnapping, terrorism rampant
In just a few days into the New Year, 2025, activities of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers rose to daredevil level as these criminal elements keep sending horrific signal across various part of the country.
Reports have emerged that there have been various unprovoked attacks on innocent individuals and security personnel, creating tension and fear across the country.
As the reports have it, more than 78 people have been killed, while 80 others have been abducted across various states during the first week of the New Year.
The Incessant Killing
On Saturday, 4th January, almost 8 soldiers were said to be killed during terrorist attack on a military base at Sabon Gari in Dambo LGA of Borno State.
In similarity, bandits launched an attack on the Natsini village in Argungun LGA, Kebbi State, on the same day, which led to two people losing their lives, as validated by Nafiu Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Kebbi Police Command.
The more disturbing case was the attack on Charanci, Safana, Kurfi and Kaita Local Government Areas of Katsina State, where more than 30 people were reportedly gruesomely murdered by bandits between Tuesday and Thursday.
The reports garnered indicated that the victims of the attacks were ambushed by dreadful gunmen while on their way coming back from a condolence visit to Batsari LGA of the state.
Meanwhile, the bandits were reported to have launched brutal attacks in Borno and Kebbi States, respectively; the gunmen were in operation in the Umuokanne area of Imo State where they gruesomely killed three people.
Several hours after the Umuokanne incident, the armed men also attacked Orsu LGA of Imo State where 18 people were killed.
According to the natives of the community, the attacks launched on communities like Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe propelled fear and tension across the state, coercing many residents to abandon their homes.
On 5th January, Katsina State Acting Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Amadu Suraju and three other persons were killed by bandits at Mai Rana village in Kusada LGA.
Terrorism: Nigerians Thrown Into Fear
Not less than eleven people were also inhumanely killed by bandits in Gululu village in Jahun and Miga LGAs, earlier in the week, proliferating great fear across the state.
On Wednesday, 8th January, another deadly attacked was launched in Kastina State when bandits encroached Idu village in Kufana District, Kajuru LGA, two villagers were reportedly murdered.
On the same day, two police officers were murdered in an attack by Boko Haram terrorists at the Nganzai police Division in Borno State.
Gunmen were also reported to have killed a farmer, Tarzungwe Shaku, in Akor village of Guma Local government Area of Benue State.
Shaku, who also ran a drinking joint at Akor market, was kidnapped shortly after the New Year and was held hostage for more than two weeks prior to his murder.
Initially, the locals said the abductors demanded N20 million which the family could not afford but was able to bit if down to N5.4 million.
In another scenario, the unknown gunmen from Lakurawa terrorist group murdered two Airtel staff members and one Gumki villager in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State over the weekend.
According to reports, the terrorists invaded the community, at the heart of Nigeria and Niger Republic, following their knowledge of Airtel installing a surveillance mast in the area.
Ransom Demands On The Rise.
Besides killing of the innocent Nigerians, many are currently wasting away in hostages, after their kidnap by the ‘vampire’ bandits.
On 5th January, 2025, more than 40 people, comprising mostly women and children, were abducted in Gana village of Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.
Two days later, on January 7, two reverend sisters were attacked and kidnapped in Ufuma Road in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.
The kidnap victims were abducted while returning from a vocational association meeting in Ogboji.
Meanwhile, two days later, 9th January, 2025, gunman believed to be Fulani Herdsmen attacked Enugu-Ezike community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State and kidnapped more than 33 passengers, including soldiers.
Terrorism: Nigerians Thrown Into Fear
This incident was reported to have taken place along Enugu-Ezike-Kogi road, a major link between North-Central region and Enugu.
An eyewitness at the scene said that the attackers, almost 17 in number, ambushed three buses on the bad side of the road, expelling passengers into the bush.
Among the victims were found three soldiers from Nigerian Army travelling from Akwa Ibom to Kaduna in one of the three commercial buses.
More Than 1,000 People Homeless In Borno
According to Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday, last week, that more than 1,000 households have been made displaced following various degrees of attacks on the communities across the state within seven days.
Also confirmed, the governor, that there were almost 500,182 displaced person across the 26 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.
“These individuals are dispersed across 26 camps and 185 host communities, enduring conditions that are far from ideal.
“They grapple with inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water and sanitation, insufficient healthcare services, and a lack of robust protection mechanisms”, the governor added.
Fear In South-west Region Over influx of Bandits
On Monday, 6th January, 2025, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State alarmed the general public about the influx of bandits in the South West region.
Makinde, while speaking at the 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers held at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, revealed that bandits, from North-West of Nigeria, have infiltrated Oyo State.
Terrorism: Nigerians Thrown Into Fear
“During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones,” he said.
Reports gathered on Saturday indicated that security operatives have been deployed to various places across the South-west region.
The effort to curb criminal activities in the region includes intensified border patrols and enhanced joint operation between the police, Amotekun and military forces in the region.
The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, has made a rally call to governors within the region to “as a matter of urgency, hold a meeting to map out strategies to expel the bandits from the region and to ensure that such elements do not infiltrate Yorubaland at any time again.”
According to Ajayi, “there is the need to carry certain groups along.
These are the security agencies that will implement whatever security decisions are reached, traditional rulers and heads of local vigilantes known as ‘Ode’”.
Reacting to the recent attacks, a security expert, Elder Ben Okezie has called on the Governors and other relevant authorities to intensify the processes that would lead to the establishment of state police.
Okezie, in a media briefing, said that the creation of state police would go a long way in curbing crisis in the country and “to ensure victory against the attackers, the law enforcement agencies must be decentralized”.
“There must be a properly trained personnel that totally under the control of State governments.
“The officers will be people within the state, who understands the terrain and how these enemies operate.
“Another good thing is job opportunities. With the establishment of state police, many jobs will be created and a number of those committing crimes due to joblessness will be drastically reduced,” he added.
Terrorism: Nigerians Thrown Into Fear
