Security operatives in Nigeria have come under several attacks by criminal elements in the past few weeks, leading to the killing of scores of them.
DAILY POST reports within September alone, over 50 security operatives were killed in different attacks across the country.
While officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, vigilantes, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, JTF and state community watch groups are affected, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army are the worst hit.
Most of the killings in several states are even underreported.
The recent incidents in Benue, Kogi, Edo and Zamfara State are more worrisome.
On Friday, September 19, armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and local militias attacked security operatives at the Agu Center, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State and murdered at least 11 security operatives.
The daredevil bandits had targeted a joint security team comprising police officers and operatives of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, locally known as Anyam Nyor, during a clearance operation near the state border.
DAILY POST gathered from security sources that the bloodthirsty bandits allegedly worked with an informant within the security team, leading to the deadly ambush.
The latest attack brought the total number of security personnel killed in the state within the last 12 months to over 80.
Recall that prior to the Agu attack, Governor Hyacinth Alia had on September 5 confirmed that no fewer than 76 security personnel lost their lives in the state while discharging their duties “in the last year”.
Barely three days after the Benue incident, gunmen struck in Yagba East and Lokoja local government areas of Kogi State, killing a total of five police officers in separate attacks.
Two weeks before the attack, about three officers were gunned down on September 10, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, also in Egbe, a town sharing a boundary with Kwara State.
The same day some terrorists ambushed soldiers while on patrol in Gusau, Zamfara State and killed at least five personnel.
In another tragic incident that occurred on September 18, at least two soldiers were killed after terrorists raided military barracks at Banki in Bama Local Government Area of Borni State.
Recall also that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on September 5, killed eight personnel of the NSCDC attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Another personnel of the corps was also killed on September 15, when bandits ambushed operatives of the NSCDC along the Yantumaki–Danmusa Road at Dafa village, Katsina State.
Last year, it was reported that about 229 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force were murdered by the trouble makers between January 2023 and October 2024.
The ugly trend has raised concerns not just among the security agencies but also stakeholders, who are eager to see the end of the wanton killings going on across the country.
In a chat with DAILY POST, a security expert, Mr Abayomi Oyelade urged the security agencies to “start the fight from within”, stating that the evildoers may have infiltrated the agencies.
According to Abayomi, “you can’t be fighting your enemies and succeed when the people around you are collaborating with those you are fighting.
“There have been reports where operatives plan to attack either bandits or terrorists in their hideouts but before you know what is happening, the bad eggs among them leaked the information to the bad boys. This is the major issue and the reason this security crisis may persist.
“People are too greedy. How do you sell your colleague to your common enemy and you are enjoying the money even with the guilty conscience?
“The military and the police have been infiltrated since and they know this fact.
“You hear some ex-military men accusing even commanders of collaborating with the bandits all because of money. We are our own problem. Why will the insecurity end when many people are benefiting? But that’s blood money.
“We have been saying this. When you identify their hideouts, work with the telecommunication industry, make sure there is no cell phone service in that area until after the operation. It is a simple thing but are you ready?
“Let’s take for instance, through credible intelligence, you have established that there are bandits around the monkey village in Ushafa, inform Glo, MTN and other telecom companies about the planned operation.
“They know how to switch off the network from the area until the operations are carried out. Once you cripple their ability to communicate, you have defeated them.”
Similarly, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, said that “while both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies are employed to combat banditry and terrorism, community leaders, politicians and the locals should identify and check internal saboteurs and those who are collaborating with criminals.”
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that modern technology equipment was procured and appropriately deployed to end the security crisis.
Ajayi identified some of the needed equipment as drones, close circuit cameras, among others.
He added that security personnel should also be motivated and encouraged.
