In a single harrowing week, Nigeria was thrown into sorrow and fear as insecurity has been raging and violence struck with brutal force from all possible angles – ambush, abduction, and attack.
These insecurity crisis features incidents, which range from the peaceful evening worship in Kwara to the violent death of a frontline commander in Borno and the terrifying kidnappings of civilians and kids throughout the northwest, create a sad tapestry of loss and insecurity that keeps getting worse.
FRONTLINE COMMANDER KILLED BY ISWAP
The fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked a convoy of soldiers and operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), under the command of brigadier general M. Uba, last Friday in the unstable vicinity of Damboa Road near Wajiroko in Borno.
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It was reported that a number of soldiers and members of the CJTF, including some of the insurgents, were killed in the incident. The commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, Uba, was apprehended alive and brutally killed.
WOMEN, CHILDREN ABDUCTED IN ZAMFARA
Terrorists attacked Fegin Baza village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state on Saturday, killing three people, including All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman Umaru Moriki and Sarkin Fadan Moriki, and kidnapping at least sixty-four civilians, including women and children.
Shortly after the state commissioner of police’s convoy went by, the attackers, who were reportedly over thirty and on motorcycles, ambushed drivers on the Gusau-Funtua route. Many were forced to escape into the jungle during a scary 15-minute operation during which gunfire erupted from all directions, according to survivors.
The most of the kidnapped victims are still in captivity, however several were later freed after paying a ransom.
Later that night, another bandit group invaded the outskirts of Gusau, the state capital, abducting residents near the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) station and the Bulunku area, spreading fear and uncertainty.
NIGHTMARE RETURNS: ABDUCTION OF SCHOOLGIRLS IN KEBBI
The horror of children being kidnapped repeated in Kebbi state on Monday. 25 scared girls, some as young as 13, were taken after gunmen broke through the perimeter gate of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Danko/Wasagu LGA, at daybreak.
One of the school officials, Hassan Makuku, was shot and killed; his body was left as a sombre warning.
One of the girls managed to get away and made it back to her parents without incident. Once a smuggling route, Kebbi’s porous borders have turned into a highway for bandits, increasing the number of kidnappings in the state. 24 girls are still unaccounted for despite ongoing searches by security personnel, neighbourhood hunters, and vigilantes.
THE KWARA CHURCH ATTACK
Insecurity crisis struck again at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) congregation in Eruku community, a boundary town in the Ekiti LGA of Kwara state, was gathered in modest worship on a calm Tuesday evening when their prayers were forcibly cut off.
At least three people were killed when bandits entered the refuge and opened fire, breaking the precarious tranquilly, according to a widely shared video of the attack that was recorded during a live stream. A number of members, including the main pastor, were kidnapped.
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Meanwhile, Eruku has been the target of banditry attacks for the past three weeks, according to community leader Benjamin Ayeoribe, who also stated that distress calls to security authorities have not been answered.
ST MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL ABDUCTION
According to reports, at least 215 students and 12 instructors were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Friday from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. The state authorities denounced the incident, pointing out earlier security alerts that were ignored.
The number of victims was confirmed by Daniel Atori, a media assistant to the state’s CAN chairman, Daniel Okoh. He also stated that the organisation is collaborating with the government and security services to ensure the children are saved and returned safely.
OTHER ATTACKS ACROSS THE NORTH-WEST, NORTH-EAST
Edu, Kwara: Four rice farmers were allegedly kidnapped in Bokungi village on Wednesday. Residents live in increasing anxiety as the kidnappers don’t say anything about ransom demands.
Sabon Birni, Sokoto: On Thursday, gunmen kidnapped 15 individuals, including four nursing mothers and their infants, and killed two, including a traditional chief. Locals claimed that security personnel were abandoning their positions, placing villages at risk.
This bloody week exposes Nigeria’s worsening insecurity problems, from the battlefield to school dorms, church seats, and rural villages. The nation struggling with underfunded forces, information leaks, and the impunity of armed organisations is reflected in the lives lost and the broken families.
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