Princess Kelechi
No fewer than 887 persons lost their lives to the various security crises that rocked the country in February 2022, according to a new analysis by a data consulting firm, Beacon Consulting .
According to the report, there were 320 incidents related to insecurity which resulted in 501 abductions across 181 Local Government Areas in 35 states.
The distribution of these incidents in the states shows that in North West and North Central Nigeria recorded the highest fatalities and abductions: Niger 159 fatalities and 118 abductions, Kaduna 143 fatalities and 191 abductions, Katsina 137 fatalities and 28 abductions. Anambra (56 fatalities) and Imo (25 fatalities) States in South-East Nigeria recorded the highest for that region.
Though a comparative analysis of incidents in January and February shows a month-to-month reduction in security incidents and fatalities as well as kidnappings, the country however witnessed a year-on-year increase in incidents and deaths.
A month-to-month analysis of the changes in the figures recorded in January 2022 and February 2022 shows a 17.1 percent decrease in kidnappings between January and February 2022 and a 26.2 percent decrease in fatalities between January and February 2022.
But, a comparison of the incidents that occurred in February 2021 and February 2022, shows a 130 percent rise in incidents(139 – 320), a 12.9 percent decrease in abductions (575 – 501), and a 59 percent increase in fatalities (523 – 887).
The major security trends observed in February 2022 are: Corruption allegations in the security sector, Educational marginalization and its contribution as a driver to insecurity in the country,
Improvised Explosive Devices introduced as an attack method by non-state actors in Kaduna State
Others are, social upheaval associated with a national student union and organised labour and petroleum product shortage cause movement disruption and obstruction to operations nationwide;
The continuation of the activities of non-state actors and security forces operations across the country, Criminal activities in South-West Nigeria;
A rise in violence associated with political events and politicians ahead of a contentious ruling party national convention and off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun State.