Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the major security challenges facing Nigeria. Others include banditry, Boko Haram and ethno-religious violence.
The spate of insecurity remained unabated in the month of August with scores of people murdered in cold blood in parts of the country and many abducted.
No fewer than 124 people were killed and 33 others abducted across Nigeria in the month of August.
These cases were confirmed by security agencies, government or victims’ relations.
The first week of the month, witnessed the highest number of killings in various attacks across the country. The week recorded killing of about 86 people while 14 others were kidnapped.
According to report, the major incident was the attack by Boko Haram insurgents who killed over 60 persons in a funeral possession in Borno State.
In the second week during the festive period no fewer than eight and about four kidnapped.
About 16 deaths and 7 kidnap incidents ย were recorded in the third week of the month. This was an increase over the previous week. The attacks occurred in Benue, Ogun, Imo, Kaduna, Anambra, and Sokoto states among others.
In the week under review, the police in Benue State also confirmed the killing of four people at a burial ceremony in Tongov district of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Last week, about 14 people and eight others were murdered and abducted respectively in parts of the country.
Top of the news on insecurity was the incident last Thursday when Book Haram insurgents seized three Borno communities and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes.
The terrorists reportedly burnt about 101 buildings including 73 houses and 28 shops.
It would be recalled that in the same week, the police in Lagos State arrested four cops for the extra judicial killing of two suspected armed robbers in their custody.
There was also report of the murder of a pregnant woman killed by suspected herdsmen in Nchatancha Nike in Enugu East Council of Enugu State. Reports had it that the womb of the woman was ripped opened and the baby removed.
Other attacks in the week under review occurred in Kaduna, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Anambra states.
