Renewed violence has claimed at least 63 lives in four states -Benue, Rivers, Delta, Kaduna – in the last 48 hours, according to tallies from across the country.
The figure excludes the scores said to have been killed by bandits in some communities in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State yesterday.
Additional casualties were also averted after policemen repelled an attack on the Kwara State Police Command headquarters in Ilorin yesterday by suspected cultists.
The spate of killings sparked another round of protests called National Day of Mourning in major cities yesterday by civil society organisations.
The protesters, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said over 4, 500 Nigerians were killed in 2020 alone.
They feared the situation could be worse this year.
They said in a petition to the Lagos State House of Assembly that the federal and state governments must take decisive actions to end the extrajudicial and violent killings across the country.
Amnesty International accused the federal government of not taking adequate measures to protect its citizens; a situation it said is emboldening perpetrators of injustice.
Killed in the latest wave of violence were 36 villagers in Michihe, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday night; seven persons on Makurdi-Naka-Ankpa Road also in Benue State on the same day (Thursday evening);10 people during an attack and counter-attack at two villages in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State yesterday; seven suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Thursday evening when a joint security team raided the group’s camp located in a forest between Oyigbo and Eleme local government areas of Rivers State; and three policemen by bandits who attacked the Umutu Police Station in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
Thousands of Nigerians have taken to social media to condemn the situation in Benue State in particular, deploring alleged lack of action from the federal authorities to stop the killings.
Twitter users created the hashtag #BenueUnderAttack to draw attention to the killings,
By 7.40pm yesterday, the hashtag had generated over 123,000 tweets.
It was gathered that suspected herders invaded Michihe ward in Katsina Ala Local Government Area on Thursday night unleashing terror, particularly on residents of Utange, Yoyo and Michihe.
Thirty-six bodies of the victims were said to have been recovered.
Some others were still missing at press time.
Photographs purported to be those of the victims were all over the internet yesterday, but the police in the state denied any killings.
They said their personnel sent to the areas found no corpses or graves.
Governor Samuel Ortom had declared at the weekend that he would “no longer announce the deaths of those killed by herdsmen.”
But he told the people: “Rise up and defend yourselves with weapons not prohibited by law- bows and arrows, spears, knives, and similar ones.”
The late gangster Terwase Akwaza a.k.a. Gana and his men operated from Mbayongo until his death.
Remnants of his followers have continued to carry out attacks on villages, burning houses and killing hapless farmers in the area.
However, events took a different dimension last week as suspected herdsmen allegedly crossed from neighbouring Takum, Taraba State to Katsina Ala Local Government Area and killed many Tiv farmers.
But spokesperson for the state police command, Anene Sewuese Catherine, said the reports of fresh killings in the area were not true.
Her words: “On 28th May, 2021 at about 0080hrs, police teams were deployed to villages in Michihe Council ward, Kastina-Ala Local Government Area, to ascertain the authenticity of the news going viral on social media about thirty six (36) corpses recovered at a scene.
“Upon arrival at the Council ward, the detectives observed that there were no corpses or graves to signify any form of burial and no official reports have been made to the police in the area.
“More police operatives have been deployed to the area for routine patrols and surveillance.
“Members of the public are advised to desist from rumour mongering and hate speeches that create unnecessary tension within the state.
“Media practitioners are also advised to ensure that they practice investigative journalism to ensure accurate and balanced reporting as this will help the police to channel limited resources to the right places at the right time.”
Gunmen kill another seven in Benue
On the same Thursday night, gunmen killed seven other persons on the Makurdi-Naka-Ankpa in Benue State.
Fifteen others were wounded and scores stranded on the highway.
The victims were said to be travellers who were attacked in their private cars or commercial vehicles at Kula village, about seven kilometres from Makurdi.
Time was about 5.30pm.
Soldiers were later drafted to the scene to clear the road for commuters.
The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) Kate Anene, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), confirmed the attack yesterday, saying that investigation was in progress to fish out the perpetrators.
Suspected herdsmen have carried out more than 40 attacks, killing over 40 persons on the Makurdi-Naka Road over the last two months.
10 killed in fresh attacks in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government yesterday confirmed the killing of at least 10 persons by bandits during an attack and counter-attacks on two villages in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.
Internal Security and Home Affairs Commissioner Samuel Aruwan said the gunmen invaded Na’ikko village in Giwa LGA and engaged the community volunteers in a gun duel which led to the death of three residents.
He named the victims as Alhaji Shafiu, Alhaji Balailu Sano and Abdulsamad Hussaini.
He said that youths of Na’ikko, in reaction, attacked a nearby Fulani settlement, Rugan Abdulmuminu, and killed two persons whom they alleged were involved in the initial attack. These were identified as Abdulmuminu Agwai and Samaila Agwai.
The commissioner said in a separate incident, armed bandits invaded Dakyauro village, Sabon Birni, Igabi LGA and killed four persons after rustling about 25 cows. The four persons killed were listed as Musbahu Yusuf, Basiru Jaafaru, Ja’afaru Yahaya and Umaru Sulaiman.
“Two persons were injured in the attack: Anas Ibrahim and Aisha Abbas.”
Similarly, Aruwan said a community leader, Dauda Adamu, was killed by bandits at Ungwan Ayaba in Chikun LGA.
“Armed bandits also invaded farmlands on the outskirts of Gigani village, Kerawa, Igabi LGA and rustled about 14 bulls being used by farmers to plough the land,” he said.
He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai sent condolences to the bereaved families and assured farmers in the Giwa, Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru and Chikun LGAs of the government’s awareness of their plight, and is taking active steps towards ensuring that they would continue to pursue their livelihoods in safety.
Government also warned private schools operating in high-risk areas to adhere to the security advisories issued to them, noting that some schools have continued to operate outside guidelines presented to them by the security agencies for the safety of their students and staff.
