See the Number of Persons Killed In Two Weeks As Bandits Attack Eight States
Over the past two weeks, at least 73 individuals have lost their lives in violent attacks across eight Nigerian states, as confirmed by Saturday FIRST CLASS GISTS.
In June, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep concern over the increasing insecurity in the nation, particularly in the North-West. He emphasized that the unrest in this region was spilling over into other parts of the country. This was articulated during a two-day summit in Katsina, themed “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North-West Nigeria,” organized by the North-West Governor’s Forum and the United Nations Development Programme. Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, highlighted that security issues in one region inevitably affect the entire country.
President Tinubu reassured the nation that his administration is committed to eradicating banditry, terrorism, and other security threats. Despite these assurances, recent media analyses by Saturday FIRST CLASS GISTS indicate that from June 16 to July 3, 2024, bandits and suspected herdsmen have killed no fewer than 73 people across eight states.
The most recent attack occurred on July 2 in Benue and Katsina states, where 12 individuals, including Dr. Tiri David, a university lecturer, were brutally murdered. Dr. David, who headed the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension, and Rural Development at the Federal University, Dutsinma in Katsina State, was killed in his home early Tuesday morning. An eyewitness reported the incident to Channels Television, noting that it happened around 1:30 a.m. in the Yarima Quarters, Low-Cost Estate, Dutsinma.
Later that same day, bandits attacked Ayati village in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing at least 11 people. The violent episode led to a protest by local youths who were outraged by the murders.
Prior to these attacks, suspected herders had killed three individuals from an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Agagbe, Benue State, as they were returning from their farms on June 30. On the same day, five policemen were ambushed and killed by bandits in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State. Four officers were killed on the spot, while the fifth succumbed to injuries later at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.
On June 29, suspected female suicide bombers targeted a wedding, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, Borno State, resulting in six deaths and multiple injuries. Vice President Shettima later updated that the death toll had risen to 32, with 26 individuals still receiving treatment and 14 discharged.
On the same day, suspected herders killed a rice farmer, Taiwo Paul, in the Kata area of Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State. Additionally, a retired Army General, Brig. Gen. Harold Udokwere (retd.), was assassinated by an armed robbery gang in Abuja on June 22. Furthermore, Prof. Yusuf Saidu, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, was killed by bandits on June 24.
Between June 16 and June 17, 18 people were killed in attacks across Kaduna, Taraba, and Sokoto states. Six victims died in suspected herder attacks in Mararaban Azagwa and Alele villages in Bali Local Government Area, Taraba State. The same day, six people were killed and many others abducted in Tudun Doki, Gwadabawa Local Government Area, Sokoto State. Additionally, six individuals were killed in Bauda and Chibiya communities in Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on June 17.
