At least no fewer than 2, 713 Nigerians were reported killed from January to May 2022, owing to insecurity, according to the data sourced and analysed by Quest Times.
Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s marching orders, the high rate of insecurity in the country is one too many, with many Nigerians counting their losses day-in, day-out.
In this report, Quest Times analysed and reviewed daily media reports published between January and May 2022 as well as data sourced from the Council on Foreign Relations.
From the data reviewed, Quest Times found that an average of 18 Nigerians died daily in various violent attacks reported in the media from January to May 2022.
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Quest Times excluded deaths caused by jungle justice, armed robbery, COVID-19, and starvation, among other deaths caused by natural occurrences.
Below is a graphical representation of the breakdown of Nigerians killed in each of the six geopolitical zones from January – May 2022;
In the first quarter of 2022, 269 attacks were reported.
In the three months, 427 people were killed, with January having the highest number of fatalities at 841.
Most people died in Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara — in that order.
Ekiti had the fewest reported deaths in the log.
Adamawa reported no violent attacks, hence, the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
The states of Kaduna and Niger were targeted the most in terms of insurgency among other violent attacks.
The South-South was the safest, whereas the North-West had the most deaths in the log.
In May, about 307 Nigerians were killed as a result of the insurgency in the country, among other security threats.
In the first quarter of 2022, 269 attacks were reported.
In the three months, 427 people were killed, with January having the highest number of fatalities at 841.
Most people died in Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara — in that order.
They mostly died in the hands of Boko Haram insurgents, suspected herdsmen, and bandits.
Below is a visualisation and description of some of the most significant incidents of political violence in Nigeria from May 1 to May 20, 2022. There are no available data from the period May 21 to May 30.
May 1
A gang fight led to eight deaths in Agege, Lagos.
May 2
Gunmen killed one police officer and two civilians in Nnewi South Local Government Area (LGA) and four civilians in Ekwusigo LGA in Anambra.
May 2
Gunmen killed one police officer and two civilians in Nnewi South Local Government Area (LGA) and four civilians in Ekwusigo LGA in Anambra.
May 2
The Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (JTF) killed ten bandits in Rafi, Niger.
May 2
Herdsmen killed one farmer in Ibarapa Central, Oyo.
May 3
Boko Haram killed nine in Chibok, Borno.
May 3
One police officer and two Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) militants were killed during a clash in Oguta, Imo.
May 4
Two bombers accidentally killed themselves during an attack on an oil firm in Oguta, Imo.
May 4
Nigerian soldiers killed four gunmen in Aba, Abia.
May 4
Three were killed during a clash in Gombe, Gombe.
May 5
Herdsmen killed eight in Bassa, Plateau
May 5
Six Boko Haram militants were killed by their own planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Biu, Borno.
May 6
Bandits killed fifty-six in Bakura, Zamfara.
May 7
Bandits killed seven in Maradun, Zamfara.
May 7
Bandits killed three in Jibia, Katsina.
May 8
Kidnappers abducted a Catholic priest in Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom.
May 9
Bandits killed eight and abducted “many” (estimated at ten) in Goronyo, Sokoto; three of the bandits were also killed.
May 10
Gunmen killed three in Tafawa-Balewa, Bauchi.
May 10
Cultists killed three in Oruk-Ana, Akwa Ibom.
May 10
Bandits killed six soldiers and thirty-four others in Takum, Taraba.
May 11
Gunmen killed one in Ikorodu, Lagos.
May 11
Gunmen killed three and kidnapped one in Ningi, Bauchi.
May 11
Kidnappers abducted “scores” (estimated at forty) in Emuoha, Rivers.
May 12
A mob killed a student, Deborah Samuel for alleged blasphemy at a college in Sokoto.
May 12
Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) killed three police officers and one other in Suleja, Niger.
May 13
Herdsmen killed one in Isi-Uzo, Enugu.
May 13
Militants killed one police officer in Bakassi, Cross River.
May 13
The Multinational Joint Task Force killed two ISWAP leaders in Abadam, Borno.
May 13
Security bandits killed seven bandits in Chikun, Kaduna; one civilian was also killed in the crossfire.
May 14
Bandits killed one and abducted twenty in Chikun, Kaduna.
May 14
Bandits killed seven and abducted a traditional ruler in Takai, Kano.
May 14
Gunmen killed one police officer and four others in Ogbia, Bayelsa.
May 14
Troops killed the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) occupants of three vehicles (estimated at fifteen militants total) in Konduga, Borno.
May 15
Gunmen killed a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in a suspected assassination in Oruk-Anam, Akwa Ibom.
May 15
Gunmen killed one police officer in Aguata, Anambra.
May 15
Gunmen killed two soldiers in Onitsha, Anambra.
May 16
Nigerian troops killed six Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members in Orlu, Imo.
May 16
Police officers killed two gunmen in Orumba South, Anambra.
May 17
Bandits abducted thirty in Kachia, Kaduna.
May 17
Gunmen killed four in Ikwo, Ebonyi.
May 17
Suspected IPOB members killed one police officer and one other in Oshimili South, Delta.
May 17
Police officers killed six bandits in Matazu, Katsina.
May 17
Suspected herdsmen killed one and kidnapped “others” (estimated at ten) in Isuikwua, Abia.
May 17
Police officers killed three kidnappers in Fufore, Adamawa.
May 17
Communal violence led to two deaths in Orelope, Oyo.
May 18
Four were killed during violence at a market in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
May 18
Nigerian troops killed a kidnapper kingpin in Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom.
May 18
IPOB killed one in Oshimili North, Delta.
May 19
Nigerian troops killed forty-two Boko Haram/ISWA militants (eighteen recorded; twenty-four already accounted for) in and around Konduga, Borno. NB: This particular was extracted from the period of April 28 – May 19.
May 20
Herdsmen killed five in Guma, Benue.
May 20
Kidnappers killed one police officer and kidnapped.
May 20
Nigerian troops killed 2 IPOB militants in Orlu, Imo.
Insecurity and Nigeria’s economy
With these disturbing security loopholes, economic activities and variables have been lagging. For instance, in the North East of Nigeria where Boko Haram / ISWAP have held sway, the area has been deserted, businesses including the informal sector have been badly affected, unemployment has soared, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and camps have suddenly emerged, State internally generated revenue has plummeted, etc.
Again, in the South-East of Nigeria where unknown gunmen and secessionists are wreaking havoc, investors are not encouraged to do business in such areas, thereby leading to an economic downturn for Nigeria at large.
As we approach the election year, Nigeria must go beyond politicking to formulating policies that will address the insecurity challenges facing the country. It is beyond playing to the gallery or doing the talking in the media. Nigeria needs revamping and the recovery process must start now.