The year 2021 has undoubtedly been one of the most difficult for Nigerians due to the series of killings caused by persistent security challenges across the country.
Throughout the year, dozens of people were killed or kidnapped on a daily basis. In fact, the families of kidnapped victims who were lucky enough to be alive are struggling to pay the ransoms demanded by their kidnappers.
Aside from the Boko Haram / ISWAP insurgency that has plagued the northeast region for more than a decade, virtually every part of the country is currently struggling with a form of insecurity.
Most of the northwestern region is being invaded by violent bandits who kidnap for ransom and kill victims who cannot pay for their freedom.
The north-central states, particularly Niger, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa, are also plagued by bandits and criminal herdsmen who in some cases attack and kill their victims.
Although Nigerian authorities claim that insurgents in the northeast have been “degraded” to a great extent and are now “focusing more on soft targets and lone military formations”, they are still carrying out devastating attacks in many parts of the region, especially in military positions and formations.
While criminals disguised as herdsmen are also causing problems in the Southwest and South-South regions, the Southeast region is now increasingly volatile due to secessionist crises.
These criminal activities, as before, led to the death of some Nigerians who were brutally murdered and simply fell victim to the security challenges facing the country.
Here are some prominent Nigerians who lost their lives due to attacks by non-state actors.
1. Ahmed Gulak
A former political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, was shot dead in Owerri, the capital of Imo state, in May this year.
Former political adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak
The late Gulak, who until his death was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was shot dead by gunmen suspected of being members of the outlawed separatist group IPOB.
However, the Imo police command in the state said the perpetrators were tracked to the place where they were killed during a shootout with security officers.
2. Abdulkarim Na’Allah
Abdulkarim Na Allah, Bala Ibn Na Allah’s eldest son, was found dead in August in his room in Malali GRA, Kaduna.
Late Abdulkarim Na’Allah
His father, Bala Ibn Na Allah, is the senator representing the Kebbi Southern Senate District.
The 36-year-old deceased was a pilot by profession.
3. Chike Akunyili
Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dora Akunyili, was killed by gunmen in Anambra in September.
Chike Akunyili [Photo Credit: BBC]Reports say he was shot and killed while returning to Enugu from an event honoring his late wife.
Residents of the southeast told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr. Akunyili, a doctor, was killed by gunmen who were suspected of being members of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
4. Sagir Hamida
In November, suspected bandits shot dead an aspiring governor in Zamfara state, Sagir Hamida.
Hamida was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sagir Hamida
He was reportedly killed by bandits in Rijana, along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, on the fateful day.
Rilwanu Gadagau
In December, bandits killed a member of the Kaduna State Assembly, Rilwanu Gadagau.
Mr. Gadagau was among the people kidnapped by bandits along the Kaduna – Zaria highway on that fateful day.
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Rilwanu Gadagau
He was Vice Chair of Giwa’s Local Government Area prior to his election to the House of Assembly in 2019.
A family source said that the legislator was kidnapped from a place known as Dindin Rauga and killed by bandits as they made their way to his hiding place in the forest.
Another source said that Gadagau’s vehicle was attacked while he was on a call with one of his colleagues, Shehu Yunusa.
Traditional rulers of the Imo
Two traditional rulers were assassinated at a function in Imo state in October this year.
The slain traditional rulers were identified as E. Duruebere from Okwudor Autonomous Community and Sampson Osunwa from Ihebinowerre Autonomous Community, both in Njaba.
The gunmen are said to have broken into a meeting of some traditional rulers and stakeholders in Nnenasa and opened fire, instantly killing the two traditional rulers.
The shooting sent those who attended the meeting running for safety.
Again in December, gunmen murdered Edwin Azike, the traditional ruler of the ancient Atta kingdom in the Njaba local government area of Imo State.
According to the police public relations officer, Mike Abatam, the traditional ruler was assassinated a day after his abduction.
His lifeless body was recovered inside his vehicle along the road leading to the market square in the community.