Ahead of the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, a group of 84 local and international Civil Society Organisations says at least 4,416 persons were killed.
In contrast, 4,334 others were abducted in incidents of mass atrocities across the country, in the last year, the CSOs said.
The groups said the numbers did not account for the regular crimes like armed robbery and other forms of crime committed in the period, adding that the situation had reduced the citizens’ right to life and dignity guaranteed under Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), to a mere inscription.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, to mark the 2024 National Day of Mourning, said the insecurity in the country had earned Nigeria a place as one of the most insecure countries in the world, ranking 144th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index in 2024.
“Since the commemoration of the last National Day of Mourning #NDOM2023 on May 28th, 2023, and President Tinubu’s first year in office, our records show that at least 4416 people were killed and at least 4334 were abducted in incidents of mass atrocities across the country.
“These numbers do not account for the regular crimes of armed robbery and other forms of crimes within that range.
These incidents of violence have reduced the citizens’ right to life and dignity guaranteed under Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) to a mere inscription.
“The frequency of these atrocities has kept Nigerians in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty and is impacting social cohesion, the economy, public health, and education across the country,” the CSOs said.
The press conference was addressed by Lois Auta, Founder of Cedar Seed Foundation; Martins Obono, Executive Director of TAP Initiative; and Frank Tietie, the Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights, who said the frequency of the atrocities had kept Nigerians in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty, and impacting social cohesion, the economy, public health, and education across the country.
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They further stated that the Northern Central region had accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with at least 1600 lost, the North West came in second place with at least 1,136 fatalities, with Maradun Local Government, a community in Zamfara state, being the most hard-hit after enduring at least five separate incidents of terror in 2023, with at least 118 lives lost.
“While no region of the country has been spared in the past year, the North Central region has accounted for the highest number of fatalities from mass atrocities, with at least 1600 lives claimed in terror pillages, communal clashes, and herdsmen attacks.
“With at least 1,136 deaths, mostly from terror-pillage attacks(banditry), the Northwest came in second.
Particularly hard-hit were communities like Maradun Local Government Area in Zamfara State, which endured at least five separate incidents of terror pillages in 2023 in a series of attacks that claimed at least 118 lives.
“At least 904 people were killed in the Northeast in the past year. Boko Haram/ISWAP activities still account for the highest number of atrocious killings in the Northeast, particularly in Borno State, with pockets of incidents in Yobe and Adamawa states.
“We also noted an upsurge in insurgent group clashes. For example, at least 82 Boko Haram insurgents were killed in an inter-insurgent group clash in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State,” the CSOs asserted.
The Southeast recorded the highest number of killings in the Southern part of the country with at least 344 killed, with most of the massacres occurring in Imo and Anambra states.
The groups also noted that the state security personnel also fell victim to violence, with at least 262 personnel killed on active duty, with the number including 110 military and 126 police officers.
They, however, warned President Bola Tinubu, the security service chiefs, and the representatives at the National Assembly that their continued failure to fulfil their constitutional duty would result in our passing a loud and consequential vote of no confidence in them.
The CSOs urged the government to fulfil its constitutional obligations under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and ensure the security of Nigerians’ lives and property.