Not less than 3802 Nigerians have lost their lives to the actions of security agents, between 1997 and 2020, an investigation carried out by Dataphyte has revealed.
In the report, Nigeria Security Agents contributed over 9.5% of the 40,007 fatalities on civilians between 1997 and 2020.
More civilians died from altercations with security agents (2409) than those who died from “violence control” during protests (63);
According to the report, beyond the several years of carnage against civilians, the thing to note, however, is security agents’ involvement in perpetrating the insecurity they were supposed to prevent.
As contained in the investigation, with an average of 165 deaths per year, the data further notes a 266.67% increase in casualties within the period, only dipping in the last three years.
“In total, the military and police killed 3802 civilians!”
Meanwhile, Delta State had the highest number of fatalities (1163) perpetrated by security personnel, the report stated.
“Delta State had the highest number of fatalities (1163) perpetrated by the security personnel.”
“On the flip side, Nasarawa recorded the lowest deaths at 49. Delta accounted for 33.55% of fatalities recorded as there have been numerous reports of military personnel killing civilians.”
“A further breakdown by local government areas still had Delta on top. There have been numerous reports of military killings in the state which is an indication of the military’s indiscretions. In an article written by The Guardian, the government deployed sea and air strikes to destroy the militants camp in that region.”
“An Amnesty International spokesperson even said, “We fear that hundreds of bystanders, including women and children, have been killed and injured, and thousands of people remain trapped in the area – unable to return to their homes having fled the fighting.”
“At 1063, Oshimili South LGA had the highest fatalities perpetrated by security personnel. This time, however, Lagos Island recorded the lowest casualties, 71. Oshimili South accounted for 37.01% of fatalities.”
“Interestingly, more civilians died from altercations with security agents (2409) than those who died from “violence control” during protests (63). “
“Violence against civilians accounted for 63.36% of fatalities. Overall, altercations with security agents took more lives. Explosions/ remote violence at 1330 followed; then protests with 63 deaths.”
The report points that terrorism accounts for a chunk of casualties in Nigeria. “Chief perpetrator of civilian casualties, however, remains the sectarian group Boko Haram.
Dataphyte posits that Nigeria is more affected than any other region. “And according to a Dataphyte report, Northern Nigeria was the central hit. At 6562, Borno had the highest rate of casualties, while Taraba recorded the lowest fatalities at 22 “
“Overall, Borno accounted for 69.71% of deaths. Concerning LGAs, Kukawa LGA had the highest casualties (2083); Jos North recorded the lowest fatalities at 249. Kukawa accounted for 34.52% of fatalities.”
“Casualties from Boko-Haram on civilians averaged 942 per year between 2009 and 2020. Fatalities experienced the longest period of growth (+3853) between 2009 and 2014. Fatalities decreased for the last year on record. Data shows that a total of 9420 fatalities have been perpetrated by this notorious group.
“The group majorly attacked civilians. Violence against civilians accounted for 78.13% of fatalities. And the deaths that ensued (7360) was higher than fatalities from explosions/remote violence (2060).
“Overall, Dataphyte’s analysis of ACLED’s data shows that the activities of the notorious group “Boko-Haram” resulted in a substantial number of civilian fatalities over the years. Nonetheless, the military took part in perpetrating violence against civilians, resulting in 3323 fatalities.”
