In July 2024, Nigeria continued to face significant security challenges. While there was a slight decline in reported casualties compared to the previous month, violence, insecurity, and human rights violations persist, disrupting lives and livelihoods across the country.
Casualty Overview
At least 447 deaths were documented, marking a 21% decrease from June’s figure of 566. These numbers illustrate the ongoing difficulties in securing affected regions and underscore the urgent need for sustained efforts to address these challenges.
State-Specific Incidents
Benue State was the epicentre of violence in July. In Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), a small farming community was shattered by gunfire, resulting in the loss of at least 11 lives. A similar tragedy occurred in the Mbache community of Katsina-Ala LGA, where 18 people were killed during a brutal attack. In Agatu LGA, herdsmen violence claimed at least 39 lives, displacing many more and leaving the fields abandoned.
Other states also faced severe disruptions. Lagos, Ogun, and Delta States saw cult clashes and mob violence that fractured community ties. In Borno State, a suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber targeted the Kauri community in Konduga LGA, killing at least 19 people at a marketplace, destroying livelihoods, and leaving deep scars on the survivors. Meanwhile, in Maiduguri, a tragic incident involved a police sergeant, Sunday Wadzani, who was arrested for the fatal shooting of his own father.
These incidents reflect the complexity and diversity of the violence that continues to afflict communities across Nigeria, making efforts to restore peace more critical than ever.
Security Operations
Security forces undertook various operations across the country to combat the insurgency and restore order. In Niger State, a major ambush in Kundu village, Wushishi LGA, led to the deaths of at least 110 insurgents. This operation was one of the largest and most significant actions recorded in the month.
In Borno State, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) under Operation Lake Sanity III announced that they had ‘neutralized’ at least 9 insurgents. They also informed that they rescued 56 captives from the Sambisa Forest and at least 22 more from Bama LGA.
Similar operations were carried out in Kaduna, Imo, Edo, and Lagos States, where joint efforts by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security units announced that they had ‘neutralized’ belligerent insurgents. Despite these reports, the cost of these operations was high, with at least 13 soldiers, 17 police officers, and 4 vigilantes losing their lives in the line of duty.
Abductions
The reported number of abductions in July 2024 was at least 351, a slight decrease from the 354 reported in June. Zamfara State recorded the highest number of abductions, with at least 153 persons kidnapped. Among them were infants from Dan Isa village, Kaura Namoda LGA. A week after 46 residents of Dogon Kade were released by bandits, following an alleged payment of N21 million ransom. Fear of further attacks has driven residents in the community to flee to safer areas, leaving their homes and livelihoods behind.
In Katsina State, at least 52 people were kidnapped. In the small town of Runka in Safana LGA, terrorists (popularly called bandits) abducted 26 individuals, primarily women and children. The raiders, numbering over 100, had surrounded the town in a coordinated attack. Other incidents in Katsina included the killing of Dr. Tiri Gyan David, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, and the abduction of his two children.
Kaduna State saw at least 43 abductions. In Maraban Walijo and Dagwarga villages of Kachia LGA, terrorists kidnapped at least 19 people and killed two others, Alhaji Danlami Goni and Alhaji Auwalu Bawa. Additional incidents included the abduction of two journalists and their families in Danhonu community, Millennium City, Chikun LGA, The Nation newspaper’s Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, his wife and two children, and Blueprint Newspaper’s AbdulRaheem Aodu, and his wife. These incidents underscore the continued vulnerability of communities to criminal elements across the state.
Ogun State recorded at least 27 abductions. In one notable incident, 20 travelers were ambushed and abducted along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway. Similar incidents were reported across other states, including Kogi (18), Kebbi (1), Sokoto (7), Anambra (6), Akwa Ibom (19), Delta (14), Lagos (1), and Ondo (5). Even urban areas like the Federal Capital Territory were not spared, with at least 5 persons reported abducted.
Despite ongoing security efforts, no significant rescues have been reported. Many families continue to wait anxiously for news of their loved ones, hoping for a resolution that may never come.
Looking Ahead
As violence and insecurity persist, Nigeria’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges. Agrarian communities, already disproportionately affected by violence, are witnessing a decline in crop yields due to disrupted farming activities. This instability exacerbates the country’s food security crisis, with reduced agricultural output leading to more shortages and rising food prices.
The impact of these disruptions extends beyond the immediate loss of life and property. With transportation routes compromised and supply chains disrupted, the ability of rural communities to grow and develop has been severely hampered. This, in turn, is putting additional strain on households already grappling with rising inflation and economic hardship, particularly in rural communities where agriculture is the primary source of income.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The Nigerian Constitution in S14(2)(b) states that the pirimary purpose of government is to ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians. In order for the government to maintain its legitimacy, it is imperative to address these security challenges. Addressing it, however, requires a multi-faceted approach. The government must prioritize the protection of rural and agrarian communities by strengthening community policing initiatives and ensuring that security forces are effectively deployed in rural areas. Enhanced collaboration between state and local authorities, as well as greater involvement of local communities in security efforts, could improve response times and prevent future attacks.
Additionally, safeguarding transportation routes and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of goods should be a top priority. Expanding infrastructure, particularly in regions vulnerable to violence, will help mitigate the impact of insecurity on agricultural productivity and food distribution.
Investing in these areas should stabilize agricultural output, maintain food security, and restore confidence in affected communities. Continued monitoring and adaptation of security strategies, in tandem with these measures, will be essential for reducing violence and ensuring long-term stability across Nigeria.