Fear has gripped Nigerians following the recent surge in killings and mass abduction by bloodthirsty terrorists causing mayhem across the nation.
There has been a bloodbath in the last five days, with scores of unsuspecting citizens gruesomely murdered, while a large number of persons were abducted.
DAILY POST reports that in the last 7 days, nearly 200 people have been kidnapped following a series of attacks in Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara, Kaduna and other states.
On Saturday, November 15, the daredevil assailants attacked Fegin Baza village in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing at least three persons and abducting over 64 others.
Barely 24 hours after the Fegin Baza attack, bandits on Sunday, November 16, launched a fresh attack on Tsohuwar Tasha village in the Ruwan Doruwa Ward of Maru Local Government of the same state, abducting 14 people, including 11 women and three children.
On Monday, November 17, Nigerians received one of the most worrisome reports in recent time about the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
The terrorists had invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, shooting sporadically with the aim of whisking the schoolgirls to forest.
Vice Principal of the school, Malam Hassan Makuku was gunned down by the criminal elements before they abducted the 25 schoolgirls.
The same day, terrorists attacked the Kushe Gugbu in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, kidnapping a Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Bobbo Paschal and several others.
A brother to one of the priests in the St Stephen Parish, Rev Fr Anthony Yero was murdered by the terrorists during the unprovoked attack.
The callous murderers continued the killing spree on Tuesday by launching a deadly attack on the Eruku community, Ekiti Local Government Area Kwara State.
Several residents of the community were worshiping at the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, when the trouble makers invaded the facility, killing three worshippers and abducting at least 30 others including old and children.
Meanwhile, at least four vigilantes were killed and four soldiers declared missing on Tuesday after terrorists attacked a military base in Mayenti, a town in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
DAILY POST reports that the attack occurred a day after the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, posted a video of the execution of Samaila Uba, a Nigerian Army brigadier-general.
On Wednesday, terrorists launched an ambush on troops heading to rescue kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State, injuring several soldiers.
The attack occurred just 24 hours after the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, directed troops of Operation Fasan Yamma to go “all out” against the bandits responsible for abducting students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga.
Fear grips Nigerians
The country is currently enveloped with fear as Nigerians are beginning to boycott important activities to avoid public gatherings.
A pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Taiwo Olalekan told DAILY POST in Abuja on Wednesday that the current situation has instilled fear in worshipers.
According to him, many church members are now considering worshiping online to avoid public gatherings, citing the Kwara incident.
He said, “We are living by the mercies of God. Nobody should dare put his or her trust in government or security agencies. The only one who can save us now is God.
“See how those bloodsucking demons are killing trained soldiers like chickens; if they can make a mess of the military, is it the ordinary unarmed Nigerian that is safe?
“I was in church this morning and I noticed a drastic reduction in the number of worshipers. I won’t blame anybody because we are all humans. Aside from faith, human beings are moved by what they see.
“You can’t watch the video of what happened in CAC, Kwara State and think that your church is safe.
“If the government fails to act on time, very soon, we will all be worshiping and working from home like we successfully did during the COVID-19.
“But in this case, are we even safe at home? The Catholic Priest that was kidnapped in Kaduna State was picked from his residence. Let’s just put our trust in God”.
Tinubu postpones trip to G20, AU-EU Summit to receive security briefings
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday announced the suspension of his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa for the 20th G20 Summit of leaders and Luanda, Angola for the 7th AU-EU Summit.
According to a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu put the trips on hold to receive further security briefings on the soaring security crisis.
Tinubu ordered the deployment of more security operatives to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State where worshippers were attacked.
“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure.
“He now awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathetic visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the attack in Kwara,” the statement said.