Metro

6,931 people killed in Nigeria under Tinubu in 10 months— Report

Published

9 months ago

March 23, 2024

A report released on Friday by an organisation that monitors the activities of terrorists and insecurity in Nigeria, the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), has revealed that in the 10 months that President Bola Tinubu has been in office, no fewer than 6,931 persons, including security personnel, have been killed.

In the report, the NST, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa programme, which documented and mapped violence in Nigeria motivated by political, economic or social grievances during the period, stated that the death toll include the 17 soldiers who were killed by youths on a peace-keeping mission in Okuama community in Bomadi local government area of Delta State on March 14.

The report also noted that as a result of the Okuama crisis, 67 “souls” have been lost to reprisal attacks by soldiers out to avenge the killing of their colleagues who included a Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors and a Captain and other rank and file soldiers.

The NST report also compared the first 10 months of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari and that of his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan and noted that the killings under Tinubu has overtaken those under the two previous regimes in the same period under review.

“In the first 10 months of President Muhammadu Buhari from May 2015 to March 2016, Nigeria lost 6,356 people to insecurity,” the report said.

“In former President Goodluck Jonathan’s first 10 months as elected head of state, May 2011 to March 2012, insecurity claimed 2,059 lives.

“But in President Bola Bola Tinubu’s first 10 months from May 2023 to March 2024, not less than 6,931 lives have been lost in Nigeria.

“In all, the figures are conservative because some killings are under-reported or not reported. In January 2024, troops killed 266 terrorists and bandits in operations across the country. In February 2024, troops neutralised 974 terrorists.

“In the last two months, the Chairman of Benue Ethnic Leaders and President General of Mzough U Tiv, MUT, Worldwide, Chief lorbee Ihagh, claimed that herdsmen militia had killed no fewer than 147 persons in various attacks on Benue communities.

“As of March 21, no fewer than 432 lives had been lost to insecurity in the third month of the year.

“Recurring bandits’ attacks in Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Kebbi and many North-East and North-Central states have led the deaths and kidnap of thousands of people.

“The South-East states where unknown gunmen are wreaking havoc are not spared. So also states of South-South and parts of South-West where criminal gangs and armed herdsmen operate.

“Disturbed by the killings in different parts of the country, the National Assembly has held many meetings with the security chiefs and President Tinubu had repeatedly ordered the security chiefs to halt the trend.

“However, it is yet to be seen if these moves would yield the desired results in terms of security of lives and property of Nigerians,” the NST report said.

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

7 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

12 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.