Terrorists attacked the advance convoy of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Katsina State on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. On the same day, terrorists also attacked the federal prison in Kuje, FCT Abuja setting several inmates free. Kuje is just 15 minutes from the International Airport and 30 minutes from Aso Rock, the seat of power in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari must clamp down on these terrorists before it is too late! 

The two incidents on July 5, 2022, are the latest episode in a long list of terror attacks suffered by Nigerians over the past few years. These terrorists have several names like “bandits” or “unknown gunmen” but their terror attacks have been consistent. These are some of their latest atrocities:

1. On July 6, 2022, the Katsina State Government reported that bandits burnt down two primary health centers in Batsari Local Government Area of the state

2. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aminu Umar Dayi, in charge of Dutsinma Area Command in Katsina State, was ambushed and killed by bandits in a fierce gun battle on July 5, 2022

3. On June 30, 2022, bandits invaded Ajata village, a mining community in Erena district of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing no fewer than 19 people with scores abducted – including four Chinese

4. On June 19, 2022, bandits attacked two churches and villagers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

5. Kaduna State government on Thursday, June 9, 2022, confirmed the killing of 32 villagers by terrorists who attacked about three villages

6. On June 5, 2022, gunmen disguised as worshippers massacred over 35 in a Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State

7. On April 5, 2022, up to 10 soldiers were killed and an unconfirmed number of others wounded after an attack by bandits on a military facility in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, Nigeria.

8. About 20 people drowned in the Guni-Zumba River on March 30, 2022, while escaping attacks by bandits in Niger State. The victims included women and children from Guni in Munyan Local Government

9. At least 9 people were killed, up to 41 hospitalized, and hundreds kidnapped when gunmen bombed a train heading for Kaduna from Abuja on March 28, 2022

10. On March 26, 2022, gunmen attacked the Kaduna Airport killing an official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), identified as Shehu Na’Allah, at the runway

These are just a few incidents. I REPEAT, THESE ARE JUST A HANDFUL OF INCIDENTS out of the many that go unreported, over the past few months, in this terrorist onslaught against Nigeria. 

According to SBM Intelligence, in 2021 at least 10,366 people died as a result of insecurity in Nigeria.

How long would this continue before something definitive is done? 

Declaring a State of emergency on the current security situation in the country would show that the President cares about the lives of the citizens he swore to protect and that the Federal Government would give the security agencies the required support to lead this fight against these emboldened terrorists – especially in the states with the most frequent attacks

If done, this would not be the first time a Nigerian President would be declaring the State of Emergency. In May 2013 President Jonathan declared a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, and more soldiers were sent to these states to wage the war against Boko Haram.

With the rising trend of terrorist attacks, something has to be done before it is too late. Join me to call on President Buhari to declare a State of Emergency on security by signing this petition!

(Image Credit: People's Gazette)