As the conflict outbreak between pastoralists and farmers intensifies across the country, available statistic has shown that an average of about 500 Nigerians are killed every month, since the beginning of the year.
Most of the killings are said to have resulted from banditry, carried by suspected herdsmen, as well as Boko-Haram elements, active dominantly in the North –West and North –East Geo-Zones.
A release entitled ‘Violent Incidents Report: June 2019’ by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)-Global Rights, confirmed the mounting evidences of the killings.
The report indicates that an average of 504 Nigerians were killed violently, last month, at various locations in the country.
The release which was issued by the Nigeria office of the NGO, and signed it executive director, Abiodun Baiyewu, revealed that 21 cases of banditry, 12 cases of abduction, and 10 cases of Boko-Harm attacks resulting in deaths were carried out in the month.
Four cases of Communal Clash, and Cult Clash, each, in addition to two incidents of mob action, and one case of pirate attacks on the sea, were also recorded in the month.
A break -down of the deaths revealed that the highest number of the deaths of 149 persons, occurred in Borno state, in North –East area of the country, where the Federal Government is currently trying to end the Boko-Haram Insurgency.
The second highest number of the deaths 97 persons occurred in Zamfara state, in North –West, while, the third highest number 65 persons occurred in Taraba state, in North-Central, in violent incidences attributable to pastoralists, and farmers clash.
Commenting on the development, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, one head of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), called on to take active interest in promoting peaceful environment in the country.
Odinkalu, made this disclosure, in a charge presented to participants in a 3-day media training organized for working journalists in Nigeria, held in the nation’s capital, Abuja, last week.
The rights activist particularly, demand from journalists’ objective, and fair reportage of the incidence of killing taking place across the country, pointing out that they must also be interested peaceful resolutions of the conflict situations across the country.
