Terrorists Consolidate Grip on Communities in Nigeria Amid Rising Violence

Nigeria's Defence Headquarters has announced a significant strike against terrorists in the North-east, killing 29 fighters, arresting 55, and rescuing 52 civilians in the last two weeks. The military also reported the neutralisation of a key Islamic State of West Africa Province Commander and 20 of his fighters. Meanwhile, Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai has warned President Muhammadu Buhari of a terrorist group consolidating its grip on communities in the state, forming a "parallel" government and establishing a permanent operational base.

Key Takeaways:

• The Defence Headquarters reported a significant strike against terrorists in the North-east, killing 29 fighters, arresting 55, and rescuing 52 civilians in the last two weeks.
• The military also reported the neutralisation of a key Islamic State of West Africa Province Commander and 20 of his fighters.
• Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai has warned President Muhammadu Buhari of a terrorist group consolidating its grip on communities in the state.
• The group, Ansaru, has formed a "parallel" government and established a permanent operational base in Kaduna state.
• The governor reported that the terrorists have promulgated a law banning residents from participating in the 2023 general elections.
• The Ansaru terrorists have also been involved in extortion, fining residents for selling plots of land without consent and exacting protection levies from farmers.
• El-Rufai's warnings come as the Kaduna state government reported 1,192 deaths in 2021 and 645 deaths in the first six months of 2022 due to banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes.

Statistics:

• 1,755 Boko Haram terrorists' members and their families surrendered to troops in the last two weeks.
• 1,792,700 naira was also recovered from terrorists arrested on August 6, 2022.
• 6 people were killed in a recent attack by suspected herders in Benue state.
• 12 people were injured in the same attack.
• 1,192 deaths were recorded in Kaduna state in 2021 due to banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes.
• 645 deaths were recorded in Kaduna state in the first six months of 2022 due to the same reasons.

Sources:

• Defence Headquarters announcement on August 11, 2022
• Premium Times report on El-Rufai's letter to President Buhari, dated July 2022.
• Daily Trust report on the recent attack by suspected herders in Benue state.