•Over 212 deaths attributed to banditry, 80 to communal clashes
ABUJA – At least 356 Nigerians were killed in violent attacks across the country in May amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, a report released by NigeriaMourns on Wednesday has shown.
According to the report, 212 deaths were attributed to banditry attacks, while communal conflicts accounted for 80 deaths. It noted that the escalating pillages in Southern Kaduna, which led to the loss of at least 56 human lives, and the loss of homes and livelihoods on a mass scale was a source of concern.
Other violent incidents experienced within this period include terrorism, extrajudicial killings, and rival cult clashes.
The report also disclosed that Covid-19 related killings appear to have continued in spite of widespread condemnation and the National Human Rights Commission’s statement against this form of extrajudicial killings.
It disclosed that Nigerian soldiers killed 4 civilians while enforcing the lockdown orders in Karim Lamido, Taraba State.
“At Owode, Yewa South Local Government of Ogun state, 15-year-old Riliwan Bello died from an “accidental bullet discharge” fired by men of the Men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command. The incident occurred barely a month after unnamed agents of the NCS reportedly killed another 15-year-old girl, Sekinat Agbelade at Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
“Rinji Peter Bala, a 20-year-old student of the University of Jos, was first arrested by vigilantes alongside six others for violating the lockdown order. Shortly after they were released, officers of the Nigerian Army “accidentally” shot and killed Rinji.
“An unidentified inmate was reported dead from a shot fired by a prison guard, at the Nigeria Correction Service, Aba. The incident occurred when some old inmates had tried, but failed to escape from the prison.
“16-year-old Tina Ezekwe was shot and killed by a policeman at a bus stop near her home in Lagos State. Provoked by this tragic incident and the endless extrajudicial killings in Nigeria, Nigerians led a protest with the hashtag #JusticeforTina,” the report read.
The report further revealed that 10 security agents were killed during violent attacks in the same month. According to the report, Killings of security officers in Nigeria has continued at an alarming rate.
“A police officer attached to Bomadi Divisional Police Station was shot dead by an army officer attached to 222 battalion in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North L.G.A Delta State.
“Five Nigerian soldiers were also killed in an attack on a military outpost by ISWAP terrorists in Mainok, Borno State, in addition to the two earlier reported killed by Boko Haram at Gujba local government area of Yobe.”
The report revealed that why 354 persons have been lost to the Covid-19 pandemic since it’s outbreak, 630 persons have been list to insecurity. (Global Sentinel)