Non-state actors killed at least 60 civilians and security personnel in the first two weeks of the year, according to data published by the Nigeria Security Tracker.
The organisation also revealed that within the period 80 people were kidnapped.
According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, of the 60 Nigerians killed, 42 were civilians, 12 were military personnel, and six were police officials.
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The high number of casualties is an indication that the widespread insecurity in the country is not letting loose despite the order by President Muhammadu Buhari to security agencies in the country to end the widespread attacks by non-state actors by the end of December 2022.
At a Joint World Conference in September 2022, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola announced Buhari’s directive to security forces to take action against terrorists and ensure that the country is safe before the end of the year.
Dataphyte’s analysis of those killed revealed that at least 70% were from the southern part of the country, with Anambra state topping with 14 deaths. When broken down by state, Kaduna comes in second with 14 deaths (12 military personnel and 2 civilians), followed by Imo with 7 deaths.
Six people were killed in Ondo, and five were killed in Oyo. One person each was killed in Rivers, Lagos, Edo, and Ebonyi states.
According to data on kidnapping, Edo state has the highest number of victims, with 34 out of 80 abducted so far this year.
On 7 January, gunmen ambushed and kidnapped no less than 32 passengers waiting to board a train to Warri in delta State from the Igueben station in the Igueben Local Government Area.
The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation later announced that those abducted have been freed. He said security forces have arrested two traditional rulers and seven others in connection with the kidnaping.
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After Edo State, Kwara recorded the highest number of abductions with 15 people reportedly kidnapped on 10 January.
Attacks of Security Personnel
Of the 18 military and police’s personnel killed or injured within the period under review, 14 were slain in Kaduna State as a result of terrorist ambushes and bandit attacks.
In Imo, gunmen attacked the convoy attached to the former governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim, and killed four police officers.
The security forces, however, were able to fend off and neutralise terrorists and other non-state actors in spite of these attacks.
The data showed the Nigerian security forces killed 53 terrorists in Borno, and over 29 non-state actors, including bandits, were reportedly killed in the first two weeks of January.
There have been worries both locally and internationally about the escalating number of attacks around the nation as the general elections approach.
For instance, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday warned that widespread insecurity could ultimately result in the cancellation and/or postponing of the polls if it is not monitored and handled properly.
The United Kingdom and Australia have also asked their citizens not to embark on travels to Nigeria in the latest security advisories issued on Thursday.
The European Union has also issued a warning that the degree of instability in the nation may make it impossible for polls to be held in some regions, stating that the “security climate” in Nigeria is extremely hostile as the 2023 general elections are less than 35 days away.
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