MAD MONDAY: In one gory day, Nigeria is bathed in sorrow, tears, and blood

Although the preceding weekend brought its share of attacks across the country, Monday, April 26, 2021, will go down in Nigeria’s history books as one of its worst days. From the north to the south, it was terrible reports of killings, kidnappings, and arson. Not a day to be forgotten in a hurry, it was indeed 24 hours of sorrow, tears, and blood, as the raging storm of insecurity blew across different parts of the country.

Although the rising insecurity in the country has heightened in recent times, Monday came with a difference.

TheCable takes a look at the sad incidents that were reported on Monday:

IN THE NORTH

Rolling on the back of an attack that occurred over the weekend, Monday morning was punctured with the sad news that some soldiers were killed after a fighter jet belonging to the Nigerian Air Force reportedly fired at ground troops in Mainok, Borno state by accident. The matter is currently being investigated by the military.

Still on attacks by insurgents, scores were said to have been killed, while about 2,000 residents have reportedly been displaced in Geidam, Yobe state, after Boko Haram insurgents took hold of the town over the weekend.

Next was the report of the kidnap of three students from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), in Benue state.

The Benue attack became an even bigger source of concern when the Kaduna government confirmed the sad discovery of the corpses of two more students abducted from Greenfield University — five of the abducted students have now been killed by bandits.

Meanwhile, in Niger state, not only has Abubakar Bello, the governor, confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents have hoisted their flag in Kaure, Shiroro LGA, no fewer than 50 villages in five LGAs of Niger have been deserted, following a series of abductions and attacks in the state.

However, there were more sad developments from security operatives, as the Nigerian army, on Monday, confirmed that it lost an officer and six soldiers when Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mainok, Borno state, on Sunday.

The Kebbi police command also confirmed the killing of nine of its personnel — including a divisional police officer (DPO) — after an attack by bandits in Sakaba LGA of the state.

IN THE SOUTH

In what seems to be a dangerous turn of events concerning the security situation in the south-east, nine herders were killed after unknown gunmen attacked Ukpomachi community in Oyi LGA of Anambra state.

The development has led students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), living in Igbariam campus, to flee their off-campus lodges over the fear of a reprisal.

The report of how gunmen reportedly kidnapped one Olukunle Oyedokun, a hotelier, his wife, three children, and other relatives in Ogo-Oluwa LGA of Oyo state, appeared in public space on Monday.

In Lagos, it was a slightly different scenario as several persons were injured and cars destroyed when some youths in Iyana-Iba area of Lagos state clashed. The clash was said to have happened close to the Lagos State University (LASU) campus.

On Monday evening, gunmen razed the Okigwe south police command in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo state, killing five officers. However, it didn’t end there. At about 10pm, there were also reports of shooting in some parts of Imo, but no casualty has been reported.