Rampaging bandits and Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 220 people and kidnapped scores in several coordinated attacks in January 2025 despite claims of improved security by President Bola Tinubu.

During his first media chat in December 2024, Mr Tinubu boasted of improved security under his watch, expressing confidence in the country’s security architecture.

“Today, I have confidence in my security architecture. It is very unfortunate that two decades of wanton killing,” Mr Tinubu said. “When I jumped into the campaigns, I had to stop the campaign and go for condolence visits in Maiduguri Katsina, Kaduna. Today, you can still travel the roads. Before now, it was impossible.”

However, a few days after Mr Tinubu boasted of improved security in the country, bandits and Boko Haram militias unleashed terror in different coordinated attacks, killing over 220 people across the country in the first 31 days of the year.

A summation of reports of fatalities recorded in each attack by Peoples Gazette shows that bandits and Boko Haram terrorists killed an average of seven persons daily in the first month of the year.

On January 7, 2025, seven days into the New Year, bandits ambushed a joint team of the Katsina Community Watch Corps and vigilante members at Baure village, Safana LGA, Katsina, killing 21 people while abducting at least 46 people in Gana, Zamfara in addition to first 10 persons kidnapped at Kaura-Namoda-Shinlafi on January 2.

The bloodletting took a frightening trajectory on January 12 as Boko Haram besieged Dumba, a community near Baga in Borno, slaughtering fishermen and farmers en masse.

Initially, over 40 people were reported to have been killed in the attack. However, an updated report by Amnesty International stated that at least 147 victims of the attack were buried, while many were still missing.

On the same day, bandits raided the Tattara community in Panda District, Karu LGA of Nasarawa, killing seven people. Another attack by the Lakurawa terror group left four people dead at a construction site in Gumki village in Arewa LGA of Kebbi.

On January 17, Nigerian soldiers killed six Lakurawa terrorists in a gun battle but lost five soldiers in the incident. Three days later, on January 20, bandits raided Ngalda Market in Fika LGA of Yobe, killing seven persons and injuring 11.

In another attack on January 23, Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 20 farmers in Borno, while on January 25, Boko Haram terrorists launched attacks on an army base in Malam-Fatori, killing 20 Nigerian soldiers.

Most of the attacks by bandits and Boko Haram in January were recorded in Northern states. However, on January 30, some armed herdsmen attacked the Ajegunle community in Ondo, killing five farmers.

The federal government and the military said Nigerian soldiers also killed hundreds of bandits and Boko Haram terrorists in defence of the country within the period under review.

Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for the Tinubu-led administration, did not respond to a request seeking comment on the surge in attacks by bandits and Boko Haram in the period under review.

Condemning recent Boko Haram attacks in Borno, Amnesty International said, “The fact that such atrocities remain commonplace shows that President Bola Tinubu’s government must do more to protect civilians and ensure that families of victims receive reparation and justice.”

Peter Obi, an opposition figure, in a statement, condemned recent Boko Haram attacks in Borno, describing it as “a grim reminder of the persistent security challenges facing our nation.”

“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for the government to intensify efforts to secure the country.

“The fight against terrorism must be resolute, and we urge those in authority to deploy all available resources to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.

“Our security personnel on the frontlines must be adequately equipped, supported, and motivated to tackle these threats effectively,” Mr Obi said.