Sokoto Attack: ‘Bandits’ve Turned Nigeria Into Killing Field’

A coalition of Northern youth group under the aegis of Northern Ethnic Group Assembly (NEYGA), has condemned the killing of travellers by bandits in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Earlier reports had indicated that bandits, last Wednesday, openly set travellers ablaze in Sokoto leaving 23 dead while several others injured.
Reacting, the group, in a statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, lamented that “this is one attack that cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
“Nigeria has been turned into a killing field by these bandits terrorising the country where innocent civilians looking for their daily breads are forced to live in perpetual fear,” the group added.
The spokesperson of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, said “the body language of Mr. Monguno shows that he is only interested in power and more power and acquisitions of properties instead of intelligent gathering”.
He added; “Virtually all parts of Nigeria are currently battling with one form of insecurity or the other with various crimes going on, largely unabated.
“Despite attempts by Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to curb the rising criminalities and killings across the country, the nation’s security apparatus under Monguno appears to be overwhelmed with criminals maiming and extorting their victims.”
He revealed that under Monguno, “Nigeria police force is poorly funded and motivated, and the military, which is fighting a decade-long insurgency in the North-East, appears to be at the end of their wits on how to curtail the downward spiral in security.
“Swathes of the North-West have, virtually been taken over by rampaging bandits who kidnap for ransom and kill victims who cannot pay for their freedom.
“The North-Central is not free from the deadly assaults by these bandits, and kidnap gangs who now operate freely in parts of Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa are making it into the Federal Capital Territory.
“The North-East is yet to experience peace as Boko Haram insurgents are in a deadly battle of supremacy daily with the nation’s military in a bid to carve out an Islamic state.
“Now largely ‘degraded’ as stated by federal officials, and focusing more on soft targets and solitary military formations, the insurgents still carry out attacks in a bid to terrorise the numerous communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa,” the statement partly read.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the gruesome murder of innocent travellers by terrorists in Sokoto State and many other attacks on citizens of Nigeria by these criminals, insisting that it has further shown how human life is cheaper than that of chickens today in Nigeria.
Vice Chairman, CAN, 19 Northern States and Abuja,Rev John Joseph Hayab, said this in a statement, yesterday.
The Christian body therefore, “condemn the animalistic behaviour. CAN is concerned that these terrorists have taken their crime against Nigerians too far.”
CAN called on the Federal Government and Governors in the Northern states, especially in the North-West region to take strong measures to stop this evil permanently.
“How can people be productive when they are living in perpetual fear of terrorists in their homes and everywhere they go?
Security of lives and property is a serious government business but what we are seeing today is how some of our leaders are playing politics with a serious matter that has almost destroyed the peace, joy and hope of the citizens.”
“CAN is appealing to security agencies to stop the unhealthy competition amongst them and work together in unity for the common good of all Nigerians.
“Our security agencies have all it will take to defeat these terrorists.
“CAN on its part will continue to offer our prayers, support and play any role that will help to bring this evil to an end.
“CAN Northern states commiserate with families of those who lost their lives and pray that God comfort them and repose the souls of the departed,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government, yesterday, confirmed 23 deaths among travellers attacked by bandits in Isa Local Government Area of the state.
This came as the Senate, mourned the deaths of travellers burnt to ashes on Monday by suspected bandits on their way to Gayan in Kaduna State.
Also, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State sympathised with his Sokoto counterpart, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, as well as the government and people of the state over the massacre of the commuters.