A new wave of banditry has swept across the North-West and North-Central regions, with simultaneous attacks reported in Kogi, Sokoto, and Kano States, resulting in multiple abductions and killings.
The incidents, which occurred between Saturday and Sunday, saw a pastor, his wife, a traditional ruler, a bride-to-be, her bridesmaids, and several other residents kidnapped. The escalating security crisis prompted a strong critique from Pastor Tunde Bakare, who described the surge as the height of the government’s failure.
Pastor Tunde Bakare used his State of the Nation address to criticize the security situation;
The surge in banditry and terrorism across Nigeria is the height of government’s failure, blaming it on decades of unresolved political, structural and moral crises
Just yesterday, bandits attacked Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West LGA, abducting the pastor, his wife, and many worshipers.
On Saturday, bandits ambushed the Isanlu-Makutu-Idofin road (Yagba East LGA). The police confirmed two people were kidnapped and one person escaped after three cars ran into the ambush.
Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, rescued five abducted victims in an operation around the Isanlu–Egbe axis, following two separate kidnap incidents.
Kogi State government recently gave an order that all public activities must end by 4:00 p.m. daily until further notice, in order for residents not to be victims of any circumstances. The state government has mounted a heavy security presence across the state to curtail any terrorist advancement.
On Sunday, bandits again attacked Chacho village, Wurno LGA, around 1:30 a.m., just hours before the wedding. The victims include a bride-to-be, her friends serving as bridesmaids, and eight other residents, all women except for one man.
One person was injured during the invasion. Residents expressed frustration over one-hour delay by the security operatives in responding to the alert after being called upon.
The Ojibara of Bayagan, Oba Kamilu Salami (Ifelodun LGA), was abducted from his farm on Saturday morning. The assailants also kidnapped four additional persons from a nearby community as they fled. The kidnappers have since contacted the community, demanding a N150 million ransom.
Bandits attacked Yankamaye village, Tsanyawa LGA, on Saturday night, shooting dead a 60-year-old woman who pleaded with them not to take her son.
Three other community members were kidnapped. However, troops of Operation MESA confirmed rescuing seven victims from the village, but four kidnapped victims remain unaccounted for.
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