2,719 kidnapped in six months, military rescued 721 – Report

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Between May 31 and December 24, 2023, 4,258 incidences of insecurity were reported throughout 573 local government districts in the country.

During the study period, at least 5,691 people were slain and 2,719 were kidnapped in acts perpetrated by non-state actors across the LGAs. However, the military rescued 721 of the kidnap victims.

Similarly, 1,902 civilians were injured in varied degrees by non-state actors in violent attacks.

Beacon Consulting, an indigenous security organisation that tracks insecurity in the country, provided the figure.

A monthly breakdown showed that on May 31, at least 13 people were killed, four were kidnapped and six were injured.

In June,  854 were killed;  239 were kidnapped and 158 were injured.  Similarly, in July, non-state actors killed 597 people,  kidnapped 330, and injured 140.

Also in August, 615 were killed, 369 were kidnapped and 215 persons were injured.

In September,  no fewer than 594 persons were killed,  348 abducted and 217 were injured.

No fewer than 1,164 fatalities were recorded in October, 518 citizens were kidnapped and 584 sustained varying degrees of injury in the month.

In November,  1,309 lives were lost to various attacks by non-state actors,  464 persons were kidnapped and 334 were injured.

So far in December,  at least 545 persons have been killed,  434 kidnapped and 248 citizens have been injured.

Meanwhile,  the military, in various operations in the country, rescued a total of 1,987 kidnapped citizens across the country between June and December 24, 2023.

The figures were from media reports during the period under review.

Between June and August, about 721 kidnapped victims were rescued by the military.

From September to December 24, 228;127;412, and 499 kidnapped citizens were freed from captivity, respectively.

Commenting,  a security expert,  Jackson Ojo, called for an improvement in the economy to put an end to the rising insecurity in the country.

He said,  “To be sincere, the issue of insecurity was inherited by the current administration.  And the hardship in the country has fuelled it.  These criminals see it as a way out of poverty.  The economy must be improved for insecurity to be reduced in the country.  Also,  there is a need for a political will to end criminality in the country.  Without the will, our security agencies cannot perform effectively. “