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Alarming Surge In Lethal Violence: Nigeria’s Grim Reality In 2022
In a harrowing revelation, a recent report from Nigeria Watch has laid bare the distressing toll of lethal violence in Nigeria throughout the year 2022.
This grim account exposes the deep-seated issues plaguing the nation, particularly in its northern territories.
The report discloses that a staggering 15,245 lives were tragically lost to violent incidents in Nigeria in 2022 alone.
This represents a distressing increase from the previous year, where the death toll stood at 13,537.
These numbers are undeniably alarming and emphasize the urgent need for solutions.
The northern region of Nigeria bore the brunt of this violence, with a disproportionate share of the casualties.
Borno State, in particular, emerged as the epicenter of this grim reality, reporting the highest number of fatalities, totaling 2,921 lives lost.
Furthermore, it recorded the highest relative number of deaths per 100,000 population, standing at a chilling 41.08.
Other states such as Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina also found themselves on the list of the five most dangerous states in Nigeria, painting a bleak picture of security challenges in these regions.
Despite a slight decrease in fatalities related to crime from 7,527 deaths in 2021 to 7,031 in 2022, criminal activities continued to ravage many communities, especially in the northern areas.
Rural banditry and mass kidnappings remained persistent threats, perpetuating the cycle of violence and insecurity.
In 2022, clashes between farmers and herdsmen erupted across 24 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory, resulting in no less than 579 lives lost.
Benue, Enugu, and Plateau states recorded the highest number of casualties, underscoring the widespread nature of this issue.
It’s worth noting that criminal gangs and government security forces were involved in more lethal incidents than other protagonists of violence during this period.
Shockingly, 2022 saw more deaths due to road accidents in Nigeria compared to the previous year.
Ogun State remained at the forefront of this concerning statistic.
The high volume of traffic on key expressways, such as the Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Abeokuta routes, contributed to Ogun State’s persistently high rate of fatal traffic accidents.
Over-speeding, overloading, and traffic violations were identified as major contributors to these tragic accidents.
In the realm of criminal activities, Nigeria recorded approximately 7,031 lives lost in 2022.
The North West and North Central states were hit the hardest, with Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, and Katsina witnessing the highest number of fatalities.
Rural banditry remained a prevalent issue in these states, contrasting with the relatively lower impact on Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe, Ekiti, and Cross River states.
Terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Ansaru continued their attacks, leading to approximately 3,110 lives lost across nine states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Notably, Borno State remained the most affected, with multiple attempts by these groups to overrun parts of the FCT.
The report also sheds light on the increasing fatalities related to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), particularly in the Southeast and South-South zones.
Anambra State reported the highest number of fatalities, with other states like Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, and Delta also affected.
The report underscores the significance of addressing the underlying issues contributing to this violence, including displacement, security concerns, and the impact on communities.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to March 25, 2025.
The adjournment followed a submission by the respondents, who informed the court that they had not been served with the necessary documents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the Federal High Court, seeking an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.
Treat my wife with respect, Natasha’s husband tells Akpabio
Delivering a ruling on the application on March 5, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, barred the committee from proceeding with the probe.
Details shortly…
The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected gun runners and recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition.
The arrests were made during stop-and-search operations along the Warri/Benin Road and Asaba/Benin Expressway on separate dates.
On 3rd March, operatives intercepted a Toyota Camry driven by one Peter James, 55, from Akwa Ibom State.
Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, and 1,040 rounds of 5.1mm ammunition.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Monday, said that the suspect was arrested near Western Delta University, Oghara, after operatives intercepted a blue Toyota Camry with registration number PHC 257 NT.
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
Police arrest 2 suspected gun runners in Delta, recover arms
“The driver was asked to open the trunk of the vehicle, during which it was observed that the trunk of the said Camry, popularly known as ‘big daddy,’ was unusually small. This aroused the suspicion of the men who were convinced that the vehicle had been modified for malicious purpose.
“The policemen then proceeded and removed the seat of the vehicle, only to discover three (3) AK-47 rifles, Two Thousand and Eighty (2,080) rounds of 7.62 mm AK-47 ammunition, one thousand and forty (1,040) rounds of 51mm ammunition loaded in four boxes.
“The exhibit has been recovered, the suspect is in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
In a separate operation on 6th March, police arrested Yahuza Magaji, 69, and Abba Sani, 17, from Kaduna State, and recovered seven pump-action guns and 1,600 rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe said that operatives attached to Dragon Patrol Team 02 arrested the suspects while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba/Benin Expressway by the National Open University, Onicha-Ugbo.
He said that police had intercepted a navy blue Sharon space bus with registration number DKA 408 LM, driven by one Yahuza Magaji, in the company of one Abba Sani, both of Lere LGA in Kaduna State.
“They disguised as traders transporting palm oil and garri, but the police, who insisted on a thorough search of the vehicle, recovered seven (7) pump action guns, five (5) cartons containing one thousand six hundred (1,600) rounds of live cartridges concealed under the back seat of the vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspects bought the arms from Onitsha and were transporting them to Kaduna State. The suspects are in custody, and investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Commenting on the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, expressed delight that the marching orders he gave to all tactical commanders, area commanders, and DPOs to up their game were yielding results.
“We are determined to flush out all criminal elements in the state,” said CP Abaniwonda.
“I commend the effort and determination of our men for going the extra mile to detect the hidden firearms,” he said.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a warrant for the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), to appear before it.
The Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly issued the arrest warrant on Monday during plenary, after the expiration of its 72-hour ultimatum for the electoral chief to appear before the House.
Enebeli had fixed August 9, 2025, to conduct a fresh Local Government (LG) poll in the state following a Supreme Court verdict that annulled the October 5, 2024 local government poll conducted in the state.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly had vowed to probe the conduct of Enebeli regarding the conduct of the annulled LG poll last year.
Over the weekend, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, invited members of the Assembly to a dialogue on the implementation the Supreme Court’s verdict.
The Supreme Court had also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court had unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.