Mounting disquiet in Northern Nigeria over killing fields

By John Eche

There is mounting disquiet in Northern Nigeria over the spate of insecurity in the region that has resulted in vast swathes of the region being turned into literal killing fields.

Civil Society groups, youth organisations, women and regional organisations are expressing their concern that about all of the measures put in the place this far have failed to deliver on the set goal of making the region and country to be more secure.

There were protests in Abuja and several other cities in the region this week with groups saying they would continue with the protests in the days that follow until they get more solid safety assurances.

However, Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya is promising that the situation would improve in 2022. But commentators say this is not the first time that promises have been made.

The North-Western State of Sokoto has in particular been a recent hotbed of attacks with both the Sultan of Sokoto and Governor Aminu Tambuwal crying out over the enormity of the challenge. There are also incidents recorded in the North East, where very well known insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP operate.

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari