Nigeria in Crisis: Over 300 Killed in Violent Attacks Across Multiple States in Past 30 Days
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Nigeria is reeling from a fresh wave of violence that has claimed more than 300 lives in just the past month. From Islamist insurgents in the northeast to armed herders in the central region and separatists in the southeast, communities across the country are under siege, raising urgent questions about national security and governance.
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Terrorist Attacks Surge in the North East
In Borno State, the heart of Nigeria’s insurgency, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has intensified its campaign. On April 28, a roadside bomb explosion near Rann killed 26 civilians, while earlier in the month, 8 passengers were ambushed and killed near Damboa.
The resurgence of attacks in the northeast suggests a strategic regrouping by Boko Haram and ISWAP, with Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum warning of “increased threats to civilian and military targets.”
Deadly Farmer-Herder Clashes in Central Nigeria
In the Middle Belt, tensions over land and grazing rights escalated into deadly violence. On April 13, 40 people were killed in Zike village, Plateau State, during an attack by suspected herders. Just five days later, 56 were killed in coordinated assaults across communities in Benue State.
Analysts point to a dangerous convergence of ethnic tension, climate pressures, and an influx of arms as key drivers of these massacres.
South Eastern Separatist Violence Raises Alarms
The Southeast also witnessed bloodshed. On May 8, gunmen suspected to be affiliated with the Eastern Security Network — linked to the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) — ambushed motorists on the Okigwe-Owerri highway in Imo State, killing at least 30 people and torching over 20 vehicles.
Authorities fear an intensification of separatist activity ahead of upcoming regional elections.
North West, Yobe State Also Hit by Violence
In the northwest, banditry remains relentless. In Zamfara’s Gobirawa Chali village, 20 people were killed in an attack by gunmen on April 24. Meanwhile, in Yobe State, 11 soldiers were killed during an ISWAP raid on a military base in Buni Gari on May 4.
A Nation Under Siege, A Government Under Pressure
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has come under renewed criticism for what many describe as a lack of a coherent and effective security strategy. Despite increased military spending and recent leadership changes in the security sector, progress remains elusive.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for independent investigations and stronger community protection measures.
“The scale and coordination of these attacks point to severe intelligence and operational failures,” said Nnamdi Obasi, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. “Without immediate and targeted reforms, the situation could deteriorate further.”
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