Pic: Bandits
No fewer than 22 people, including health workers and security personnel, were killed in a deadly attack by gunmen on Kawel village in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, further highlighting Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Residents said the attackers stormed the community on Sunday night, opening fire on villagers and attacking a Primary Health Care Centre where health workers and patients were among those killed. Several others sustained gunshot and machete injuries.
A local youth leader, Christopher Luka, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 22 following further assessments, while a Red Cross official involved in emergency response operations disclosed that civilians, health workers, patients and security personnel were among the victims.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed 20 deaths, saying officers engaged the attackers in a gun battle and forced them to retreat. Additional tactical teams and Police Mobile Force personnel have since been deployed to the area.
Reacting to the attack, Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest the perpetrators.
The state government also ordered emergency relief for affected families and warned against reprisal attacks.
The latest violence comes days after the killing of a district head in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Kidnappers launch twin attacks in Ondo
In Ondo State, panic spread across Owo community after suspected kidnappers carried out two separate attacks on Sunday night.
The gunmen first attempted to abduct community chairman, Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, but were repelled after police operatives responded to a distress call and engaged them in a shootout.
Hours later, the attackers invaded a residence in Gbegun community, shooting 39-year-old Daniel Ologun in the leg before abducting his wife, Taibat, and their two young children.
A joint operation involving police and military personnel led to the rescue of the woman and her children in the early hours of Monday after the kidnappers abandoned them while fleeing security pressure.
Ondo Police spokesman DSP Abayomi Jimoh confirmed the incidents and said security operatives had launched intensive bush-combing operations to apprehend the suspects.
Protest rocks Ibadan over kidnappings
Meanwhile, members of the Take It Back Movement staged a protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, blocking the busy Iwo Road interchange and causing major traffic disruptions.
Vanguard reports that the demonstrators demanded the immediate release of dozens of pupils, students and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area in May, expressing frustration over the prolonged captivity of the victims.
National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, accused authorities of failing to act decisively and vowed that protests would continue until all abductees regain their freedom.
DIG assures abducted pupils will be freed
South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Adegoke Fayoade, however, assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
Speaking during a visit to the Lagos State Police Command, Fayoade said all available resources were being deployed to ensure the victims regained their freedom as soon as possible.
Sunday Igboho defends security advocacy
Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, also defended his security advocacy, insisting that his campaign is targeted at criminal elements and not any ethnic group.
Responding to criticism from the Concerned Fulani People of Nigeria, he said the fight against kidnapping, banditry, rape and killings should transcend ethnic and religious considerations, stressing that criminals should be prosecuted regardless of their background.
Catholic bishops oppose reintegration of terrorists
Also reacting to the security situation, Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province condemned the reintegration of repentant terrorists and bandits into society and security structures.
The bishops argued that such policies undermine justice, disrespect victims and could encourage further criminality. They called for stronger security reforms, improved intelligence gathering, effective forest policing, deployment of modern technology and the establishment of state police to tackle insecurity across the country.
They also demanded the immediate release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, insisting that national healing and unity can only be achieved through justice and accountability.
