When Will These Senseless Killings Stop?

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, last week vowed not to let Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu down, in his determination to bring lasting peace to the country by fighting the insecurity to a standstill.

Speaking at the 37 Regular Course 38th anniversary of gratitude and the investiture of the immediate-past Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd) as the Grand Patron of the Course in Abuja, General Musa also reaffirmed his determination to uphold the ideals and principles guiding the Armed Forces of Nigeria, while urging troops that it was a solemn duty to ensure that the sacrifices are made by each and every member of the military.

What the CDS needs to understand is that Nigerians are running out of patience with the armed forces. Reports have it that since President Tinubu’s administration was inaugurated on May 29, over 1,700 Nigerians have so far been killed by non-state actors across the country.

Tinubu, while delivering his inaugural speech as president amid cheers from his supporters on May 29, at the Eagle Square in Abuja, pledged to prioritise security.

But about five months after the inauguration of this new administration, the killings have persisted. In Plateau State alone, over 500 people have been killed and others rendered homeless.  General Musa’s home state of Kaduna is not spared from these senseless killings.

In Zamfara, Nasarawa and Niger and Benue states, killings, kidnapping and abduction are a daily routine.

According to data, the killings happened primarily from the activities of bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, ethnic militias, armed robbers and other non-state actors.

When General Musa and other service chiefs were appointed, many thought they would stem the spate of killings in the country as soon as possible. But today, even those who trooped out in jubilation in southern Kaduna and Plateau State have resigned themselves to fate as killings have continued in those areas unabated.

After the killings in Zaria penultimate week, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was forced to cry out, calling on the security agencies to descend heavily on the killers.

While Nigerians appreciate the sacrifices of the armed forces, they want them to redouble their efforts to bring to book these marauders who are daily on the prowl plotting where to unleash their mayhem.