In a ruthless display of violence, Islamic extremists ravaged northeastern Nigeria, leaving behind the lifeless bodies of 37 innocent villagers. This cruelty is a remorseful reiteration of the ongoing rebel insurgency that has plagued the region for the past 14 years.
The extremist’s venom spewed unabated in two separate incidents targeting villagers in the Geidam district of Yobe state on consequent days of the week. Monday’s grim saga unfolded with a hail of bullets claiming 17 unsuspecting lives, while Tuesday offered no respite as a strategically placed landmine exploded, extinguishing the lives of another 20 individuals attending their burial, as attested by various eyewitnesses. This signifies an ominous resurgence of violence after a year of uneasy quiet in the state.
It was back in 2009 when the virulent wave of insurgency was set into motion by the radical Boko Haram Islamic extremist group. Their agenda was to establish a harsh version of Islamic law or Sharia, across the northeastern belt of Nigeria. This wave of relentless terror has since claimed the lives of 35,000 people and forced over two million to flee, with Borno state bearing the brunt of this devastation – a neighbour to the now afflicted Yobe.
Despite being in office since May, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu continues to grapple with the country’s escalating security issues. Unchecked violence thrives not only in the northeastern edge but has also infiltrated into the northwest and central regions, where armed factions indulge in relentless bloodshed and rampant kidnappings for ransom.
Recounting the catastrophes of the dual attacks, Shaibu Babagana, a local resident, narrated the chilling tale of how gunmen randomly sprayed bullets in Gurokayeya village late Monday resulting in 17 casualties. The mourning was far from over, as the following day saw 20 villagers fall prey to a landmine blast while attending the burial. Another resident, Idris Geidam, voiced the horrifying ordeal, highlighting how the death toll actually exceeded 40, though official accounts vary.
The gravity of these ruthless assaults stirred an emergency security meeting held on Wednesday by the Yobe state government. Blaming the extremists from neighbouring Borno for this intrusion into their state, a flurry of discussions spun around how to thwart future infiltrations. Abdulsalam Dahiru, a government security aide, assured reporters that security personnel were deployed to the vulnerable areas to ensure heightened vigilance.
