CSOs say under Tinubu, terrorists killed 4,416 and kidnapped 4,334 amid celebration of one year in office
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“We are perplexed that while the government successfully tracked and froze the bank accounts of #EndSARS protesters, it is unable to trace and quash kidnapping and ransom rings across the country using the same technology” – CSOs
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More than 4,416 people were killed and 4,334 abducted in the past one year with Bola Tinubu in the saddle in Aso Rock, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has lamented, highlighting how the President has failed to live up to his campaign promise to tackle insecurity.
Some 84 CSOs led by Global Rights disclosed the figures in Abuja to commemorate “the 7th national day of mourning for victims of mass atrocities account for the missing and the dead, and ensure justice for mass atrocities.”
The group demanded that the federal government fulfil its constitutional obligations in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution and ensure the security of lives and property.
It also urged all the three tiers of governments to address the yawning socioeconomic inequities exacerbating violent crimes across the country.
“Since the commemoration of the last National Day of Mourning #NDOM2023 on May 28th, 2023, and President Tinubu’s first year in office, our records show that at least 4416 people were killed and at least 4334 were abducted in incidents of mass atrocities across the country, Global Rights Programme Manager Edosa Oviawe said, reading out a briefing.
“In particular, the government should
- “Prioritise providing quality education for all, infrastructure for unserved communities, and opportunity leverages for the indigent and marginalised.
- “Act humanely toward internally displaced persons [IDPs] across the country and communities affected by insecurity as stipulated in Section 17(2)(c) of the Constitution.
- “Prioritise improving the welfare (including psychosocial support) of our gallant security assets who daily deal with the trauma of being on the frontlines.
- “Disincentivise the payment of ransoms by tracking the financial flow of ransoms and communal extortions to identify and bring to book terrorists and terror merchants currently pillaging Nigeria.
- “Investigate, arrest, and prosecute all perpetrators of these violent crimes, including those perpetrated during the 2023 general elections.”
Government fails to fulfil its constitutional duty
Oviawe added: “We, the undersigned civil society organisations, in commemoration of the 2024 National Day of Mourning and in assessing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first year in office, reiterate our call to the government to fulfill its constitutional duty of ensuring the security and well-being of all Nigerians, account for the missing and the dead, and ensure justice for the various forms of mass atrocities across the country.
“The National Day of Mourning and Remembrance for Victims of Mass Atrocities and Violent Killings is an annual citizen-led initiative to recognise and accord dignity to victims of mass atrocities as more than just numbers; as humans, citizens whose identities must not be forgotten, and to demand justice for them.
Rekindling sense of solidarity
“The National Day of Mourning is further aimed at rekindling our sense of solidarity and nationhood by reminding us that we are in this together and that the office of the citizen is the most powerful office that can be occupied in Nigeria.
“The intractable insecurity in Nigeria has earned it a place as one of the most insecure countries in the world. Nigeria ranked 144th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index in 2024, sandwiched between countries in active warfare, and 5th on the Global Conflict Index, ranking as being extremely vulnerable to conflict.
“Since the commemoration of the last National Day of Mourning #NDOM2023 on May 28th, 2023, and President Tinubu’s first year in office, our records show that at least 4416 people were killed and at least 4334 were abducted in incidents of mass atrocities across the country.
“These numbers do not account for the regular crimes of armed robbery and other forms of crimes within that range.
“These incidents of violence have reduced the citizens’ right to life and dignity guaranteed under Sections 33 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) to a mere inscription.
“The frequency of these atrocities has kept Nigerians in a state of perpetual fear and uncertainty and is impacting social cohesion, the economy, public health, and education across the country.
“While no region of the country has been spared in the past year, the North Central region has accounted for the highest number of fatalities from mass atrocities, with at least 1600 lives claimed in terror pillages, communal clashes, and herdsmen attacks.
“With at least 1,136 fatalities, mostly from terror-pillage attacks (banditry), the North West came in second.
“Particularly hard-hit were communities like Maradun Local Government in Zamfara State, which endured at least five separate incidents of terror pillages in 2023 in a series of attacks that claimed at least 118 lives.
“At least 904 people were killed in the North East in the past year. Boko Haram/ISWAP activities still account for the highest number of atrocious killings in the Northeast, particularly in Borno State, with pockets of incidents in Yobe and Adamawa states. We also noted an upsurge in insurgent group clashes.
“For example, at least 82 Boko Haram insurgents were killed in an inter-insurgent group clash in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The Southeast recorded the highest number of killings in the southern part of the country, with at least 344 people killed, and most of these killings occurred in Imo and Anambra states. As reported in previous years, most of the killings were due to successionist activities in the region.
“Cult gangs, communal clashes, and pockets of terror-bandit attacks continued to cost lives in the Southsouth region, where at least 272 people were killed. In the Southwest, at least 160 people were killed in cult clashes, herdsmen militia, attacks, and other isolated attacks.
“We noted that the sustained trend of brazen killings, abductions, and pillages across the country reflects the impunitious confidence of armed groups whose acts of violence are rewarded with ransom payments, control over pillaged communities, and taxes extorted from communities in exchange for peace.
“We are perplexed that while the government successfully tracked and froze the bank accounts of #EndSARS protesters, it is unable to trace and quash kidnapping and ransom rings across the country using the same technology.
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Extrajudicial killings by state security actors
“In addition to attacks from armed groups, extrajudicial killings by state security actors have also continued, with at least 274 people extrajudicially killed by security personnel. We note, in particular, that 160 people were killed in two incidents of ‘accidental airstrikes’ in Kaduna and Zamfara states, and that no one has been held accountable till date.
“State security personnel have also continued to fall victim to the violence, with at least 262 security personnel killed on active duty across the country in the past year. These numbers include 110 military and 126 police officers.
“The unmitigated levels of insecurity across the nation have continued to impact not only the dead; all Nigerians suffer the manifested consequences of food insecurity and economic hardships resulting from hindrances imposed by perennial insecurity.
“We also note its continued effect on the nation’s educational sector. At least 406 of the abductees within the period were students. We note with particular sadness that Nigeria continues to boast of having the most out-of-school children in the world.
“As we commemorate this year’s National Day of Mourning (#NDOM2024), we amplify Nigerians’ demands that the government fulfill its constitutional obligation to ensure the security and well-being of every Nigerian.
Nigerians deserve better
“You have failed us, and we are deeply dissatisfied with the state of affairs in our nation! Nigerians deserve better!
“We further warn the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, the security service chiefs, and our representatives at the National Assembly that their continued failure to fulfil their constitutional duty will result in our passing a loud and consequential vote of no confidence in them.
“On this occasion of this year’s National Day of Mourning, we commiserate and stand in solidarity with all Nigerians who have lost loved ones and property to mass atrocities; we demand justice for the dead and displaced and the safe return of all abducted persons.
“As a coalition of organised civil society groups across Nigeria, we pledge to continue to amplify citizens’ voices and demand accountability from the government.”
List of the CSOs
Apart from Global Rights, other CSOs that signed the briefing include:
- 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative, Abubakar Mohammed, Accountability Lab, ACE-Nigeria, Advocacy Centre for Development, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL),
- African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), Alliances for Africa (AFA), Amnesty International Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, BauchiHumanRightsNetwork, BENDEF, BOCODEP, BudgIT, Bwatiye Community Development Association,
- Cedar Seed Foundation, CEE-HOPE, Centre for Community Excellence (CENCEX), Centre for Social Justice, Centre LSD, CISLAC, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER), Clean Technology Hub, CLEEN Foundation, Community Life Project (CLP),
- Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA), Companions for the Development of Jibia Local Government Area, Connected Advocacy, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA),
- Disabled People in Leadership Initiative and Network of Women with Disabilities, Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), Enough Is Enough, Falana and Falana Chambers,
- F. S. A. F. C. I, FEMBUD, FENRAD, Gatefield, Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion, Global Rights, Grassroots Development Centre, HEDA, Human Rights Network Jigawa, Initiative for Social Development,
- Keen and Care Initiative (KCI), Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, Life and Peace Development Organisation, Media Rights Agenda, Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development, Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation, Nextier SPD (Security, Peace and Development).
- Nigerian Network of NGOs, Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), Online Hub NG, OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative, Organisation for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN), Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Partnership for Justice and Network of Nigerian Human Rights Defenders, Policy Alert, PRAWA International,
- Praxis Center, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), SBM Intelligence, Sensor Empowerment Initiative, SIPJAD, Social Action, Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre,
- Sokoto Youth Council, South Saharan Social Development Organisation, Stephanie Peacebuilding and Development Foundation (SPADEV), Support Initiative for Sustainable Development, Tap Initiative, TechHerNG,
- The Kukah Centre, The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), Urban Alert, We The People, West African Drug Policy Network (WADPN),
- Woman in Media Communication Initiative (WIM), Women in Mining Nigeria (WIMNG), Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Yiaga Africa and Yobe Youth Council.