At least 168 incidents of kidnapping were recorded across the country and no fewer than 675 deaths in May. This is according to the 2023 Nigeria Security Report from security company Beacon Intel, located in Abuja.
The data, which was released to journalists on Thursday, stated that the deaths took place in 18 states while the abductions took place in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the study, 185 Nigerians perished in ambushes, 173 died from gunfire, 173 died in raids, and 99 died for unclear reasons.
It further showed that 11 Nigerians died in captivity while 34 others were slain in separate incidents.
According to a breakdown of the recorded fatalities, 38.7% (or 261 deaths) were in the North Central, 23.9% (or 161 deaths) in the North East, 15.6% (or 105 deaths) in the North West, 7.1% (or 48 deaths) in the South West, 5.2% (or 35 deaths) in the South East, and 9.6% (or 65 deaths) in the South-South.
According to the security report, the top three states with the most deaths were;
- Plateau – 126
- Borno – 123,
- Benue – 51.
The data also showed that 68 incidents of kidnapping occurred in the North-West in May. This is as compared to 20 cases in the South-South, and six cases in the South-West. As well as five cases in the South-East.
Kabir Adamu, a security specialist, and the CEO of Beacon Intel advised that-
“For government efforts to decrease the ability of non-state actors to challenge the supremacy of the use of force by the state to be sustainable, the Federal and State Governments need to strengthen collaboration for enhanced administration of criminal justice and the restoration of social order by addressing the root causes of these challenges including socio-economic grievances, unemployment and the effects of climate change, as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“The Federal and State Governments need to collaborate in dominating the forested and other ungoverned spaces, which the bandits use as safe havens and to keep their victims.”
cc: Punch Ng
