Killing Fields: 6,931 People Slain Under Tinubu’s Tenure in 10 Months

The blood-stained saga continues as 17 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi, met their demise during alleged peace negotiations gone awry in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Among the fallen were a lieutenant colonel, two majors, and a captain, marking another grim chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing turmoil.

Reports indicate that the deadly clash erupted amidst a land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities, culminating in a tragic loss of lives. The aftermath has seen a military crackdown on Okuama, leaving a trail of destruction with over 50 casualties and counting.

The carnage in Okuama is but a fraction of the grim statistics that have marred the tenure of President Bola Tinubu, with a staggering 6,931 lives claimed across the nation within a mere 10 months since his assumption of power last May.

Comparatively, the toll under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s initial 10 months in office stood at 8,356 lives lost to insecurity, while the corresponding period under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan witnessed 2,059 casualties. These figures, sourced from the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), underscore the alarming escalation of violence under Tinubu’s leadership, eclipsing previous administrations’ records.

However, it’s worth noting that the figures attributed to Tinubu’s tenure rely primarily on media accounts, indicating a potentially higher toll than officially reported. The shadow of under-reporting looms large over these harrowing statistics, amplifying the magnitude of the crisis gripping the nation.

Recent months have seen intensified military operations targeting terrorist elements, with 266 and 974 militants neutralized in January and February 2024, respectively. Yet, the specter of violence continues to haunt communities nationwide, with Benue bearing the brunt of herdsmen militia attacks, claiming 147 lives according to Chief lorbee Ihagh, Chairman of Benue Ethnic Leaders and President General of Mzough U Tiv.

Against this backdrop, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has raised its voice in condemnation of the escalating bloodshed, urging decisive action to stem the tide of violence plaguing the region. Led by Chairman Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua of Katsina Central, the NSF has called for urgent measures to restore peace and bring perpetrators to justice.

Despite concerted efforts by the National Assembly and directives from President Tinubu to security chiefs, the specter of insecurity looms large, casting a pall over the nation’s collective well-being.