At least 486 people were killed in the first three weeks of 2022 by non-state actors in Nigeria, an average of 22 people a day, a PREMIUM TIMES compilation of media reports shows.
More than 80 percent of the killings were committed by terrorist groups that have terrorized the north-west and north-central areas, while around 50 percent of all killings occurred in the north-central state of Niger. Nigeria.
Last week, Niger state governor Sani Bello announced that at least 220 people were killed in his state between January 1 and 17. Most of the murders in the state were not reported until the governor’s statement, an indication that some of the horrific acts of terrorist groups in the country are being overlooked by the media.
In addition to Niger state, other states that witnessed large-scale killings in the first three weeks of 2022 included Zamfara, Plateau, and Kebbi. The victims were mostly unarmed civilians.
PREMIUM TIMES compiled the incidents from media reports. Therefore, unreported cases are not included.
Week one (January 1-8), 216 dead
In the first week of the year, when President Muhammadu Buhari claimed that the country is safer, at least 216 people were killed by gunmen. The victims include the 200 killed in Zamfara, the Seven killed in Kaduna, Three on plateau, Three in Akwa-Ibom and Three in Ondo.
Week Two (January 9-15); Minimum 37 dead
In the second week, at least 37 people were killed by non-state actors. Figures include 18 at Plateau, one in Abuja, one in Imo. and 17 in Kebbi.
Week three (from January 16 to 22); Minimum 13 dead
In the third week, from January 16 to 22, at least 13 people were killed. Figures include three people in Kaduna, four in Ebonyi, one in Akwa-Ibom and five in Niger state.
220 in Niger
In Niger state alone, at least 220 people have been killed in attacks on some 300 communities this year, the state governor revealed as he addressed reporters after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.
He said that between January 1 and 17, the state suffered no fewer than 50 attacks by terrorist groups.
He said that in the same period, no less than 300 communities were invaded by armed people.
Governor Bello did not reveal the exact days and communities where the attacks occurred, but said they occurred between January 1 and 17 in 300 communities in the state.
Government steps up efforts
Following worsening insecurity in Niger state, President Buhari ordered the deployment of more troops to the states.
The president, through his spokesman Garba Shehu, said a major military operation had been launched in the state which had faced continued attacks on their communities by bandits and remnants of Boko Haram terrorists fleeing theaters. of war in the Northwest and Northeast. parts of the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari
“The Federal Government is willing to strengthen support and cooperation with all states. I believe that with the full cooperation of the citizens, we will surely overcome this problem,” said Mr. Buhari.
The government has also stepped up efforts against armed groups in the northwest with more troop deployments and aerial bombardment.
Some of the group’s leaders were killed in an airstrike by the Nigerian military on New Year’s Day.
However, many Nigerians believe that more needs to be done to improve the security situation.