Violent Attacks Have Claimed 78 Lives and Resulted in 12 Abductions within Tinubu’s First Week as President
Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, a wave of violent attacks has swept across Nigeria, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 78 lives and the abduction of 12 individuals. These incidents have been reported in various regions, including Rivers, Zamfara, Kaduna, Ogun, Sokoto, and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring the widespread nature of the security challenges facing the country.The Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations, has compiled data revealing the grim toll of these attacks. Disturbingly, on May 29, gunmen in Rivers took the lives of four individuals and barbarically beheaded two others. The following day, bandits in Zamfara claimed the life of a vigilant leader and 24 additional victims. Meanwhile, in Kaduna, two women leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) were forcefully abducted after attending the governor’s inauguration ceremony.The violence persisted on May 30, with bandits killing a man and abducting his wife and four children in Kaduna. Suspected cultists also carried out a brutal assault in Rivers, claiming the lives of six individuals within local communities. On May 31, gunmen, clad in camouflage attire, attacked a farm in Ogun state, leaving three people dead and two others taken captive. Furthermore, in Abuja, four individuals fell victim to a kidnapping incident perpetrated by armed assailants on June 4.Efforts to seek clarification from the Director of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Musa Danmadami, were met with silence as he failed to answer phone calls and respond to a text message from our correspondent.Timothy Avele, a respected security expert, emphasized the urgency of addressing the escalating killings and abductions across the nation, calling for swift action from the President. Avele remarked, “It simply means he is running out of time. The security structure must be immediately reset, and the heads of security agencies must be held accountable and proactive in their approach.”The alarming frequency and geographical spread of these violent incidents underscore the pressing need for a comprehensive and effective strategy to restore peace and security to Nigeria. The nation waits with bated breath to see how President Tinubu will respond to these grave challenges in the days ahead.