A report released by Beacon Consulting Ltd, a security intelligence and risk management firm based in Abuja shows that killings by armed non-state actors have increased in April 2024 compared to the previous month, with a rise of approximately 34.4%.
The report indicates that 1,097 people died in April, whereas 816 fatalities were recorded in March.
Borno State experienced the highest number of deaths in April with 367 individuals killed, followed by Zamfara State with 113 fatalities, and Kano State with 64 people killed.
Borno State continues to grapple with attacks perpetrated by members of the Boko Haram group, highlighting the persistent threat posed by insurgency in the region.
In addition, Zamfara State reported the highest incidence of kidnapping with 122 individuals abducted, followed by Borno State with 40.
Zamfara State is particularly affected by banditry, with criminals targeting villages to plunder property and abduct individuals for ransom.
WIKKIDATA: North Recorded 80% of Killings, 94% Abductions in Q1 2024
The government asserts its commitment to addressing these security challenges; however, the situation remains dire, especially in the north-western states of the country, where communities continue to suffer from violence and instability.
The report also notes that 311 individuals were kidnapped, and 342 sustained injuries across Nigeria in April, according to the Hausa Version of BBC. Nevertheless, there has been a decrease in the number of community attacks and kidnappings for ransom, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing security crisis.
Dr Kabir Adamu, the Managing Director, Beacon Consulting Limited, had earlier told WikkiTimes that the increase in fatalities particularly in the Northeast was a result of the intense threat environment, comprised of the restiveness of insurgent activity in the region.
He explained that the split between ISWAP and Boko Haram has prompted violent competition between both groups who seek to retain strongholds and grow their ‘dwindling manpower’.
Dr Adamu said the armed reconnaissance undertaken by the Nigerian Airforce and associated ground raids undertaken by the army to curtail the excesses of the terror groups in the Northeastern States has also contributed to the high fatalities. “Nonetheless, civilians are also impacted in Borno (terrorism) and Taraba (agrarian conflict),” he added.
While in the Northwest, the Managing Director of the security firm said there has been a significant dismantling of the growing insurgency tied to the banditry in the region.
WIKKIDATA: In November, North-East Accounts for over 63% Security-Related Deaths in Nigeria- Report
He, however, said the organized crime remains rife in Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States which were mostly tied to abductions, community raids and the illegal imposition of levies on farmland.
WikkiTimes reports that from 2021 to 2024, the Nigerian Ministry of Defence got a budgetary allocation of N5.11 trillion to curtail the lingering insecurity across the nation.
In the 2021 budget, the ministry did not account for N966.4 billion. While N772.3 billion was allocated to personnel costs, overhead and capital costs garnered N66.2 billion and N127.8 billion respectively.
In 2022, N912.5 billion was budgeted for personnel costs, N83.5 billion for overhead and N204.6 was for capital costs, accumulatively totalling N1.2 billion.
Similarly, N1.25 trillion was allocated to the ministry in the 2023 budget, where N1 billion was given to the personnel, N97.1 billion and N285.04 were earmarked for the overhead cost and capital cost respectively, hence, totalling N1.38 trillion for the ministry.
WikkiTimes reports that in December, police officers deployed to the Northeast under the Joined Task Force (JTF) lamented over the non-payment of their allowances in the last six months.
The lingering insecurity especially in the northern states, questions the huge amount of funds expended amid the killings, kidnappings coupled with sectarian crises.
The surge in casualties suggests the pressing need for authorities to implement effective measures to address the underlying issues contributing to these killings.
