Terror brews, bandits return after presidential, NASS elections

Sikiru Obarayese

In what may be described as the result of the security situation in Nigeria deteriorating and free rein of terrorism in the northern part of the country, armed gangs have again been brewing attacks after the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Armed gangs since last week again sacked many communities, and homes in Abuja, Taraba, Plateau, and Kaduna killing many and abducting several persons in the space of two weeks.

The Friday attacks which happened separately in Abuja and Kaduna where at least 19 persons in total were abducted are more examples of the deplorable state of security in the country.

According to Police spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday said some gunmen in their large numbers came to carry out an operation at Grow homes estate along Kuchibiyi in Abuja – “They moved from one apartment to the other dispossessing people of their belongings. They also kidnapped at least nine persons including children and women from two apartments in the estate.”

Also in the early hours of Friday, March 10, bandits attacked a pastor’s house in Karimbu-Kahugu community in Lere local government area of Kaduna state and killed his son, and kidnapped his wife and three others.

Meanwhile, the armed gangs since after a short break, about a month ago, seem to have returned to the usual banditry business after the last two weeks’ elections.

On Friday, March 3, about six days after the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, Nigerian Tribune reported that gunmen abducted two wives and a son of the chief of Sarkin kudu in the Ibi local government area of Taraba, HRH. Dansalama Adamu.

The attackers, according to police, have been arrested and are providing useful information to the police, and efforts are on to rescue the victims and arrest the remaining suspects.

Less than 24 hours later, armed men, numbering about 20, invaded the Kanawuri community of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State at about 11:00 p.m. after going on a shooting spree and killed a clergyman identified as Reverend Musa Hyok of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and two of his children.

The following day, on March 5, Sunday morning, the Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Police Command, CP Kolo Yusuf, confirmed the murder of Maru Divisional Police Officer, SP Kazeem Raheem and Inspector Rabiu Umar by bandits.

In a police report, “on 5th March 2023 at about 0200hrs, Bandits in large numbers, armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Maru Division with intent to destabilise the security architecture of the town in order to easily attack and abduct members of the community.

“However, the DPO and team gallantly put up a strong resistance to repel the attackers. Unfortunately, he and the above-named Inspector lost their lives while protecting the public.”

The command has not announced the arrest of any individual in connection with the attack.

Suspected bandits, on Monday, March 6, burnt an immovable armour vehicle belonging to the Mobile Police during an attack on Kimbi Village of Randagi Ward, Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.

A Community leader, Alhaji Yahaya Kimbi, in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, stated that the incident occurred on Monday morning with about eight bandits holding AK 47 storming the village.

“The attack happened on Monday morning around 1:00 am and in the process, the hoodlums burnt the vehicle to ashes.

“However, the bandits did not kill or kidnap anyone during the attack. I think their only target is to destroy the armoured vehicle,” he said.