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Over 55,000 Nigerians Dead, 21,000 Abducted in Four Years – New Report

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Nigeria continues to face a multifaceted security crisis marked by widespread violence, particularly against religious communities, resulting in the killing of 55,910 people in 9,970 attacks, while 21,621 people were abducted in 2,705 in four years.

 

Suspected terrorists abducted an unspecified number of traders travelling along the Kaduna- Birnin Gwari RoadA graphical illustration of gunmen.

 

According to the new investigative report released on Thursday by The Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa, the data presented in the report covered four years from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2023, and provided critical insights into the patterns and dynamics of the violent attacks.

 

The ORFA, which monitors the state of religious freedom, documents rights violations, and informs decision-makers through advocacy, lamented that Nigerian citizens were killed by the insurgents while the terror groups enjoyed relative freedom to carry out atrocities against civilians in large regions of Nigeria, “as military pursue targets hundreds of miles away.”

 

ORFA documented 11,610 distinct attacks in which people were killed and/or abducted. Out of these, 8,905 involved killings without abductions; 1,065 involved both killings and abductions; 1,640 involved abductions without killings.

 

This is an average of 8 attacks per day involving killings and/or abductions over a 4-year period. These numbers include attacks with civilians, Security Forces and/or Terror Groups killed and abducted.

 

“Many civilians lived in high levels of insecurity and fear of the unexpected. For instance, eye witnesses talked about children sleeping in trees at night. In total 30,880 civilians were killed in 6,942 attacks. The remaining 25,030 people killed were members of the Security Forces or Terror Groups. Additionally, 21,532 civilians were abducted in 2,670 attacks. Another 89 people abducted were members of the Security Forces or Terror Groups.

 

“There were frequent clashes between Security Forces and Terror Groups and between Terror Groups themselves. This had impact on civilians too. In 3,028 attacks (out of the 9,970 attacks with killings) only non-civilians were killed: 4,377 were members of the Security Forces and 19,323 members of Terror Groups. In 35 attacks (out of the 2,705 attacks with abductions) only non-civilians were abducted: 68 belonging to the Security Forces and 2 to Terror Groups.”

 

The data showed that more Nigerian Christians were victims of violence than Nigerians holding to other religious affiliations.

 

Amongst the 30,880 civilians killed in the 4-year reporting period, the number of Christians killed was 16,769, while the number of Muslims killed was 6,235.

Among the 21,532 civilians abducted, the number of Christians abducted was 11,185, while the number of Muslims abducted was 7,899.

 

The number of African Traditional Religionists (ATRs) killed was 154 and the number of ATRs abducted was 184. The religious identity of 7,722 civilians killed and 2,264 civilians abducted remained unknown.

 

The ratio of Christians to Muslims killed rose significantly when the religious composition of the states is taken into consideration.

Looking at the overall numbers, the ratio of Christians to Muslims killed was 2.7:1; the ratio of Christians to Muslims abducted was 1.4:1.

 

However, when taking into account the relative sizes of the Christian and Muslim populations within the different states, the ratio of Christians to Muslims killed increases to 6.5:1, and the ratio of Christians to Muslims abducted to 5.1:1, the report noted.

 

Also, a statement on Thursday by ORFA stressed that only a fraction of civilians were killed by ISIS or al-Qaeda affiliates during the four year period under review.

 

“Across the country, over 11,000 incidents of extreme violence took place during the data period, with more than 55,000 killings and 21,000 abductions,” the statement by ORFA emphasised.

 

The statement signed by the organisation’s  Data Scientist Frans Vierhout, was titled, “Blind eyes to bloodshed: FulaniEthnic Militia killing Nigerian civilians unopposed.”

 

According to the statement, the mass killings perpetrated by the terrorists in Nigerian communities are the outcome of a new study covering a period of four years between October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2023.

 

The details of the mass killings which were made public in a statement on Thursday further read; “Mass killings, abductions and torture of whole families go largely unchallenged as military pursue targets hundreds of miles away, finds four-year data project

 

“Islamist extremists enjoy relative freedom to carry out atrocities against civilians in large regions of Nigeria, according to data scientists behind a four-year study.

 

“Researchers at the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa recorded over 55,000 killings and mapped thousands of farm massacres and mass abductions in a four-year period, including in Nigeria’s fragile North Central Zone and Southern Kaduna.”

 

“A little-known terror group, the Fulani Ethnic Militia or FEM, commit mass killings hundreds of times a year through this region,” it reported.

 

 

 

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Kinsmen Defend INEC Boss, Calls For National Restraint

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PRESS STATEMENT
From: Okun Development Association (ODA)

 

The Okun Development Association (ODA), on behalf of Okun sons and daughters worldwide, extend sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
GCFR, for the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, as Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission. (INEC). We receive this decision as a clear
endorsement of competence and character, and as a call to national service, anchored on
merit. The confidence reposed in Prof. Amupitan SAN, is an honour to Okunland, to Kogi
State, and to every Nigerian who believes that public office should reward integrity and
capacity.

ODA declares, without reservations, our unflinching support for Prof. Joash Amupitan
SAN, as he assumes leadership of INEC at a defining moment in our nation’s democratic
journey. His public and academic record reflect uncommon discipline, fidelity to due
process, and abiding respect for institutions. In every assignment he has handled, Prof.
Amupitan SAN, has shown the temperament, intellectual depth, and moral courage
required to manage sensitive national duties with fairness and firmness. We are assured
that these qualities will guide his stewardship of the Commission.

Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, personifies the values Okunland holds dear: honesty, hard
work, humility, and service above self. As a scholar, he has raised generations of
Nigerians who today serve in critical sectors of our society. As an administrator, he has
built systems that outlast individuals.

His commitment to strong, impartial institutions is exactly what INEC requires to
consolidate public trust. We are confident that under his leadership, the Commission will
discharge its constitutional mandate without fear or favour, and that his tenure will
strengthen the credibility of our electoral process.

ODA is mindful that the office of INEC Chairman will always attract intense public
scrutiny. While such scrutiny is part of democracy, we respectfully remind all
stakeholders, political actors, and concerned citizens that Nigeria’s constitutional order
provides established channels for resolving disputes. We therefore urge any aggrieved
parties to ventilate their concerns through the appropriate legal and institutional
mechanisms. We call for restraint in public commentary and ask all Nigerians to grant
Prof. Amupitan the calm and institutional space needed to serve the nation with neutrality,
courage and desired result.

The Okun Development Association reaffirms its commitment to national unity,
democratic stability, and the success of the Tinubu administration. We assure the
President and the Nigerian people that Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, will discharge his
responsibilities with honour, will bring credibility and candour to his office, to Okunland,
and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We request the prayers and goodwill of all citizens
as he undertakes this solemn duty for the nation.

God bless Okunland.
God bless Kogi State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

Amb. (Chief) Akenson Rotimi
President General,
Okun Development Association.
President-General: Amb. Akenson Rotimi
08075259447

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Authorities Shut Four Lagos Properties for Illegal Wastewater Disposal

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The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed four properties across Ikotun and Ajah for illegally discharging untreated wastewater into public spaces.

 

The enforcement action, carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, targeted two residential properties at 13, Oritola Street and 1, Temitope Street, Pipeline, Ikotun.

The commissioner for the environment, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed the development on X on Thursday, added that a public toilet and a mechanic workshop along Badore Road, Ajah, were also sealed on Thursday.

Wahab said the Ikotun properties were sealed following public complaints, repeated warnings and verified findings from an investigation.

Some of the sealed locations. Photo: Tokunbo Wahab on X
He said the owners had been deliberately channelling untreated wastewater through pipes onto roads.

“The present situation, which remains unabated, showed that the properties were deliberately releasing untreated wastewater into the environment through pipes onto the roads, thereby constituting public nuisance,” he said.

The Ajah premises were shut over what the agency described as “indiscriminate discharge of wastewater into the public drain and the environment.”

Wahab warned that the crackdown would continue, saying individuals and organisations found violating environmental regulations would face appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution under enabling laws.

 

 

“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices.

“Individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws,” Wahab added.oads, thereby constituting public nuisance,” he said.

The The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed four properties across Ikotun and Ajah for illegally discharging untreated wastewater into public spaces.

The enforcement action, carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, targeted two residential properties at 13, Oritola Street and 1, Temitope Street, Pipeline, Ikotun.

The commissioner for the environment, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed the development on X on Thursday, added that a public toilet and a mechanic workshop along Badore Road, Ajah, were also sealed on Thursday.

Wahab said the Ikotun properties were sealed following public complaints, repeated warnings and verified findings from an investigation.Ajah premises were shut over what the agency described as “indiscriminate discharge of wastewater into the public drain and the environment.”

Wahab warned that the crackdown would continue, saying individuals and organisations found violating environmental regulations would face appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution under enabling laws.

“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices.

“Individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws,” Wahab added.

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Egunjobi’s Track Record of Road Development Strengthens Reps Bid – Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola

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Former Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Kola Egunjobi, has emerged as a strong contender for the House of Representatives, with his extensive record of road construction and rehabilitation projects widely cited as a key reason he deserves to represent Agege Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber.

 

During his tenure in Agege, Lagos State, Egunjobi initiated and delivered a broad range of road projects aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating local economic activities.

These projects, executed through new construction, rehabilitation, and interlocking stone paving, were strategically spread across the council area to address critical infrastructure gaps and long-standing community needs.

Notably, his administration constructed several new roads, including: Awori/Adesokan Street, Union Road in Dopemu, Alagbigba Street with streetlights, and Taiwo Street, also equipped with streetlights.

Similarly, Oniwaya Market Road, Sanni Omomeji Street, Abudu Oladejo Street, Shodipo Street, Ishola Yusuf Street, and Ogunjobi Street were completed, thereby easing movement and enhancing commercial access within key parts of the locality.

Furthermore, the administration rehabilitated Ashade Ogba Road, while also extending development to: Majaro Street, Oshungboye Keke Road, Humani Street, Onibeju Street, Imam Ojoku Street, Alowonle Street, and Ajibose Street. In the same vein, projects such as Elicana Phase 1, Ajakaiye Street, Arigidi/Sonaya Street, Adegbola Street, Adeniyi Street, Onilude Street, Okanlawon Street, Old Union Street, Onafuwa Street, and Abolore Phase 1 were successfully delivered.

In addition, construction works covered Anuoluwapo Street, Ashafa Street, Oredapo Street, Mayaka Street, Sarumi Alawo Street, Akerele Street, Ashiata Street, Abeje Street, Ashaolu Street, and Kosoko Street.

Significantly, Adebari Street was both constructed and interlocked, while Olowo Street benefitted from a combination of construction, installation of streetlights, and the provision of a security house, reflecting a comprehensive approach to infrastructure and safety.

Residents and stakeholders have continued to acknowledge the impact of these projects.

A community leader noted that the roads “greatly improved accessibility and supported economic activities across several neighbourhoods,” adding that many previously inaccessible areas have now been opened up.

Consequently, political observers maintain that Egunjobi’s infrastructure footprint underscores his administrative capacity and grassroots appeal.

They argued that his performance in office provides a solid foundation for legislative representation.

As the contest for the Green Chamber intensifies, supporters insist that his track record in road development remains a defining factor, positioning him as a candidate capable of attracting meaningful progress and sustained development for Agege at the national level.

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