4,416 Nigerians Killed, 4,334 Abducted in Tinubu’s One Year — CSOs Report
With President Bola Tinubu approaching his first anniversary in office, 85 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) revealed that 4,416 Nigerians were killed and 4,334 abducted in the past year.
This information was shared during the 7th National Day of Mourning for Victims of Mass Atrocities in Abuja. The CSOs urged the government to account for the missing and deceased and ensure justice for mass atrocities victims.
Leaders from organizations such as Global Rights Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) highlighted Nigeria’s ranking of 144th out of 163 countries on the 2024 Global Peace Index and 5th on the Global Conflict Index, indicating extreme vulnerability to conflict.
“We, the undersigned civil society organizations, on the 2024 National Day of Mourning, call on the government to fulfill its duty to ensure the security and well-being of Nigerians, account for the missing and deceased, and provide justice for mass atrocities,” the CSOs stated.
The National Day of Mourning aims to honor victims of mass atrocities, emphasizing their identities and humanity, and demanding justice for them. It seeks to reinforce national solidarity and remind citizens of their collective power.
The report noted that persistent insecurity has made Nigeria one of the most insecure countries globally. Since the last National Day of Mourning on May 28, 2023, and during President Tinubu’s first year, records show at least 4,416 people killed and 4,334 abducted in mass atrocities.
The North Central region reported the highest fatalities with 1,600 lives lost due to communal clashes, herdsmen attacks, and other violence. The North West followed with 1,136 fatalities, primarily from banditry, particularly affecting Zamfara State’s Maradun Local Government with 118 deaths.
In the North East, 904 deaths were reported, mainly from Boko Haram/ISWAP activities in Borno State. An insurgent group clash in Borno’s Kukawa Local Government resulted in at least 82 Boko Haram insurgents killed.
The Southeast recorded 344 deaths, largely from secessionist activities in Imo and Anambra States. The South South region saw 272 deaths from cult gang clashes and terror-bandit attacks, while the Southwest reported 160 deaths from similar violence.
These figures exclude regular crimes like armed robbery. The CSOs lamented that these violent incidents have severely undermined citizens’ constitutional rights to life and dignity, fostering fear and affecting social cohesion, the economy, public health, and education.
The CSOs called on the government to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of violent crimes, including those from the 2023 general election, improve the welfare and support for security personnel, and prevent ransom payments by tracking financial flows related to kidnappings and extortions.
