173 Deaths, 9 Abductions: Nigeria's Weekly Security Report - Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2023

Indicators within the week under review shows that Nigeria’s fight against insecurity remains unpredictably tricky as non-state actors continue to push the national armed forces beyond permissible limits. While the military recorded major milestones against bandits and terrorists in the past two weeks, attacks on soft targets and sometimes in urban areas by non-state actors still persists. The trend of attacks has also remained consistent in many vulnerable communities irrespective of the military upping the ante.

In the North-East, while the Army engages the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists in a battle of stalemate in Borno State, a new front in the region seems to have opened as worrying indicators in the last three months show that Taraba State is also steadily becoming another epicenter of banditry activities. In November alone, about 52 farmers and hunters were murdered by bandits in the state.

A breakdown of reported deaths in the state within the month of November shows that while the military recorded a milestone in the week under review with the bombing of 50 bandits by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), bandits on the other hand killed 18 hunters, 20 farmers and 14 other villagers in separate attacks. The attacks occurred in communities in Bali and Ussa Local Government Areas and Yantu Special Development area in Southern Taraba.

The major death toll in the week under review however occurred in Tundun Biri, in Igabi local government Area of Kaduna state where the Nigerian Army accidentally bombed and killed 83 persons. The attack which was initially denied by the Nigerian Air Force was later admitted by the Army after an emergency security meeting with the state governor. The incident which occurred during a Maulud celebration is also a sad reminder of a January 24, 2023, bombing of 47 pastoralists killed by military a drone while they were offloading their cattle.

The week however closed with a total death toll of 173 persons and 9 incidents of abduction. The deaths were recorded through twelve incidents across eight states in all six regions of the country. The affected states include: Kaduna – 83, Taraba – 70, Plateau 7, Anambra – 6, Imo – 4, Bauchi – 1, Delta – 1, and Ogun – 1. The abductions occurred in Kaduna – 7 and Imo – 2.

83 Killed, 50 Injured As Army Mistakenly Bombs Kaduna Villagers Dec 3, 2023

Dozens of villagers have been killed and no fewer than 50 others severely injured following a bomb mistakenly dropped by a troops of the Nigeria Army on a group of religious adherents during a Maulud celebration at Tudun Biri, a community within Igabi local government area of Kaduna State, on Sunday night.

A credible source from the local government area, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that no fewer than 83 persons were killed when the bomb was dropped and exploded and gave the figure of those injured as 53.

Although the Nigerian Airforce responsibility, the Kaduna State government, has however informed that the Nigeria Army has admitted to mistakenly carrying out the operation, which led to the death of the villagers.

A statement issued in Kaduna on Monday afternoon following a special security meeting, signed by the Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, noted that the State Government received briefings on the Sunday night’s attack, which left several citizens dead and others injured.

Bauchi varsity student stabbed to death Dec 2, 2023

A final year student of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Joseph? Agabaidu, has been stabbed to death by some assailants while trying to steal his mobile phone.

A source in the school told Punch that he was returning to his lodge situated around the Yelwan Tudu Market in the Yelwa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis around 7 pm on Saturday when he was attacked.

Meanwhile, a notice of the planned protest was shared with Punch by another source in which students were called upon to mobilize themselves and come out for the protest at the ATBU Gate of the Yelwa Campus.

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest, driver in South-East – November 30, 2023

Gunmen have abducted a Catholic priest in Imo State, South-East Nigeria.

The victim, Kingsley Eze, was abducted at a road junction around 8 p.m. on Thursday in Umuekebi, Osuoweerre, a community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state, according to a report by Vanguard newspaper.

The cleric’s driver, identified as Uchenna Newman, was also abducted during the attack.

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday morning, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, declined to speak when asked for comments on the attack.

Gunmen Kill Seven In Renewed Plateau Attacks?Nov 30, 2023

At least seven persons have been reportedly killed following attacks on Puka and Pinper communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, is coming after a long period of peace in the area.

A community leader, Mr. Zaccheaus Jomo, who confirmed the killings said: “The Puka community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State came under heavy attack by gunmen early this morning (Thursday). They also attacked another community in the council area known as Pinper.

Gunmen Hijack Ogun Govt Bullion Van, Kill Accountant Nov 29, 2023

Daredevil armed robbers on Wednesday hijacked a bullion van belonging to the Ogun State government and carted away an undisclosed amount of money.

The robbers also shot and killed an accountant of the Governor’s office, Taiwo Oyekanmi who was accompanying the bullion van.

Confirming to incident to New Telegraph in a telephone interview, the State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, said he has ordered the blocking of all existing points out of the State.

Gunmen kill 18 hunters, injure others in Taraba Nov 28, 2023

Eighteen hunters were killed and several others injured during two separate attacks blamed on armed bandits in?Bali Local Government Area?of Taraba State.

PREMIUM TIMES learned that 15 of the hunters were killed during a battle with the gunmen on Tuesday night in a mountainous area near Maihula town.

Three others were killed in an ambush by suspected bandits near Dakka town.

The State Chairman of the Hunters Association, Adamu Dantala confirmed the development, disclosing that 15 of the local hunters were killed during a battle with the bandits.

Gunmen kill Imo businessman Nov 28, 2023

Gunmen on Thursday assassinated a businessman based in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The businessman, Linus Nmuo, popularly known as Sakatan, was killed at his country home at Umuezikegbu in Egbuoma community in the Oguta LGA in the early hours of the day.

A family source who doesn’t want to be mentioned told our correspondent in Owerri that on arrival, the attackers went to their victim’s house and dragged him out.

Bandits abduct newly-weds, Islamic cleric, and five others in Kaduna Nov 28, 2023

Eight persons were abducted when bandits stormed the Dan-Honu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A new couple who got married last Saturday were among those abducted, while the Imam of the community mosque, his wife, and three children, including a 10-month-old baby were also among others that were abducted.

While confirming the incident, the Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, told our correspondent on the telephone that operatives of the command repelled the bandits and rescued the victims.

Over 50 Bandits Killed In Taraba November 28, 2023

No fewer than 50 suspected bandits terrorising communities across the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State in what is a breakthrough in the fight against banditry.

While the feat was achieved on Tuesday in the North-East state, the spokesman of the Taraba State Police Command Abdullahi Usman told Channels Television on Thursday that the bandits were killed by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies.

Bandits Kill Two Farmers In Taraba Nov 28, 2023

Two farmers have been killed on their farmlands by suspected bandits in the Yangtu Special Development Area of Taraba State.

The incident took place in the early hours of Tuesday in the southern zone of the state.

According to the immediate past member representing the Ussa Local Government Area in the State House of Assembly Habila Timothy, the farmers are from the Kpambo village.

Four feared killed as hoodlums, security operatives clash in Anambra Nov 28, 2023

Unknown gunmen have reportedly killed four people including security operatives in the Aguluzigbo community in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The PUNCH gathered that the yet-to-be-identified hoodlums invaded the community on Tuesday morning and started shooting.

When contacted on the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident but said details were still sketchy.

Two feared dead as unknown gunmen attack Agulu Nov 28, 2023

Unknown gunmen have allegedly shot and killed two members of the Anambra State Vigilante Service at Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State, South East Nigeria.

A viral video of the attack seen by DAILY POST on Tuesday showed two persons lying along the road.

When DAILY POST called the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, he confirmed there was an attack at Aguluzigbo by armed men.

Gunmen Kill DSP In Delta, Eight Arrested Nov 28, 2023

A gang of 10 criminals on Tuesday killed a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sunday Okoebor, in Asaba, Delta State.

The gang was, however, unlucky as men of the Nigeria Army from 63 Brigade arrested eight of them, out which two were incapacitated while two escaped.

Briefing journalists on the breakthrough, Colonel lbrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff headquarters, 63 Brigade Asaba, said his men received information about the killing at Koka area of the capacity and they mobilised to the area.

Gunmen kill two policemen, civilian in Imo attack Nov 27, 2023

Two policemen and a civilian were on Monday shot dead at Ahiara Junction in the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

The attack occurred during the visit of the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, to his officers in Mbaise.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, said that the command had declared a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.