Despite Plateau massacre, other attacks on communities, Tinubu says security improved since May

Mr Tinubu also claimed his administration “silently worked” to rescue kidnap victims.

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • January 1, 2024

President Bola Tinubu (Credit: Presidency)

Despite Christmas Eve attacks that left over 195 dead and scores injured in Plateau State, President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s security has improved under his watch.

Mr Tinubu, who said this In his New Year message on Monday, also claimed his administration “silently worked” to rescue kidnap victims.

“Since our administration took over the mantle of office, security has improved. Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors,” said Mr Tinubu.

He added, “While we can’t beat our chest yet that we have solved all the security problems, we are working hard to ensure that we all have peace of mind in our homes, places of work, and on the roads.“

The president’s claim that Nigeria’s security has improved under his watch comes barely a week after suspected armed herders raided communities in Plateau State, killing over 195, injuring scores, razing houses, and displacing over 35,000 persons.

Aside from the Plateau massacre, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkweagu in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Sunday, three persons were killed as hoodlums stormed the church vigil, while eight traders returning home from Jibia market were ambushed and killed by armed bandits in Babangida village in Katsina State on same Christmas Eve.

Last week, Amnesty International condemned Christmas Eve attacks in Plateau communities, berating Mr Tinubu for brazenly failing to protect communities in the state and Nigeria at large.

The United Nations, France, and the U.S. government have equally condemned the Plateau massacre while calling on Mr Tinubu’s government to bring its perpetrators to book.

In June, Peoples Gazette reported that over 200 persons were killed in different coordinated attacks by Boko Haram, bandits, and unknown gunmen across the country in Mr Tinubu’s first month in office.

Contrary to Mr Tinubu’s claim of improved security, in November, armed bandits kidnapped at least 100 people after invading some villages in Katsina State and the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Three weeks ago, Katsina Governor Dikko Radda also cried out that bandits have occupied many schools, converting them to their dens in the state.

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