Stefanos Foundation Reveals Alarming Figures

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Stefanos Foundation has released a report indicating that 4,357 lives were lost and 1,791 individuals were abducted in 686 violent incidents throughout 2023.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Mark Lipdo, the Programme Coordinator, highlighted that from 2001 to 2023, a total of 5,344 instances of violence resulted in the tragic death toll of 41,879.

Lipdo emphasized, “In 2023 alone, our records show 686 instances of violence across 34 states in the Federation, resulting in 4,357 deaths and 1,791 abductions. These numbers likely underestimate the true extent due to potential unreported incidents.”

The breakdown revealed that Boko Haram was responsible for 1,296 instances, claiming 17,406 lives, Fulani attacks accounted for 1,248 instances with 14,605 fatalities, and 2,716 instances by unknown gunmen resulted in the loss of 6,459 lives.

In response to the crisis in Plateau State, local leaders are advocating for measures such as caring for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), rehabilitation, compensation for victims, diligent investigation and arrests of perpetrators, and a halt to unwarranted arrests of innocent youths. Additionally, calls were made for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, eviction of Fulani occupiers, recovery of illegal land occupations, and the prohibition of open grazing.

Leaders affirmed, “We are a peace-loving people, but we will not tolerate the actions of killer Fulani mercenaries. The ongoing violence is a deliberate mass murder of our citizens by those prioritizing animals over human lives.”

Expressing gratitude to the people of Plateau State and conscientious Nigerians, leaders urged the media to continue presenting the truth and resist distortion attempts by those seeking to conceal the nefarious activities of attackers.