A group under the auspices of Srarina Initiative for Peace Justice and Development (SIPJAD), has revealed that a total number of 4416 individuals have lost their lives, while 4334 others have been reported abducted during the first year of Bola Tinubu’s administration.
These alarming statistics according to the group shed light on the unprecedented level of violence and unrest that has gripped Nigeria under Tinubu’s leadership.
Redzie Jugo, the Executive Director of SIPJAD disclosed this while addressing journalists Tuesday in Jos where they joined the rest of the country to commemorate National Day of Mourning (NDOM).
He said the figure paints a grim picture of widespread atrocities and human rights violations across the country. According to him, the victims of this violence come from various regions and belong to different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, indicating the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.
“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 have kept Nigerians in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty and is impacting social cohesion, the economy, and education across the country”.
He highlighted a disturbing trend of targeted killings, kidnappings, and forced disappearances that have terrorized communities and instilled fear among the population. “Families have been torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and entire communities left in mourning as a result of the unchecked violence and lawlessness that has plagued the nation”.
Jugo called for urgent action to address the escalating crisis and hold those responsible for these heinous crimes to account saying, they have urged the government to prioritise the safety and security of the citizens, uphold the rule of law, and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
He added “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. The North Central was closely followed by the North West, with at least 1,136 killed mainly in terror pillages. Particularly hard-hit were communities like Maradun Local Government in Zamfara State, which has endured at least five separate incidents of terror pillages in 2023 — a series of attacks that claimed the lives of at least 118 people.
“The Southeast recorded the highest number of killings in the southern part of the country, with at least 344 people killed, and most of these killings occurred in Imo and Anambra States. As reported in previous years, most of the killings were due to secessionist activities in the region. Cult gangs, communal clashes, and pockets of banditry attacks continued to cost lives in the South South region, where at least 272 people were killed. In the Southwest, at least 160 people were killed due to cult clashes, herdsmen militia and other isolated attacks”; Jugo added.
BusinessDay reports that the nation awaits with bated breath as the authorities are urged to heed the clarion call for justice and accountability in the wake of these revelations.
