Insecurity: 1,153 civilians, 176 security personnel killed in Nigeria in 3 months — Report

A total of 1,153 civilians, 105 soldiers, 67 police officers, two immigration officers, one civil defence officer and one customs officer were killed in violent incidents across Nigeria between July and September this year.

This was revealed in a report on Tuesday by SBM Intelligence, a research organisation that compiles and analyses data about happenings in Nigeria.

The report compiled news reports within the period on killings by Boko Haram insurgents, gang clashes, bandits and other criminals.

Other casualties were 27 cultists, 29 members of Indigenous People of Biafra, 10 vigilantes, 23 kidnappers, and 24 armed robbers.

The report showed that the North-West had the highest number of killings with 961 deaths, 495 of which were recorded in Zamfara State; North-Central, 646; North-East, 336; South-East, 137; South-South, 105 and South-West, 102.

According to the report, Imo State is the epicentre of the killings in the southern part of the country with 59 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Mathew Kukah on Tuesday said banditry, Boko Haram and kidnapping were symptoms and manifestations of many sins in the polity.

Kukah was delivering a lecture in Lagos as part of activities marking the 120th anniversary of the African Church and a reunification service.

He called on Nigerians to stand in solidarity with victims of insecurity.

“Before the crisis got to where we are, there were always manifestations. With the insecurity in the North East, people in the South-West may say that ‘it has not got to us’ and enjoy,” Kukah said.

(Daily Trust)