Nigeria: an imam killed in a new attack

Over the past decade, Nigeria has been grappling with significant security challenges, marked by recurrent and violent attacks. This instability was tragically underscored in the Plateau State, where a recent attack claimed the lives of two individuals, including the chief imam of the Jumma’at mosque in the village of Ndun, Malam Muhammad Sani Idris. This event highlights the local communities’ vulnerability in the face of ongoing insecurity.

The attack, which also claimed the life of Muhammad Gambo, an okada rider, occurred in an already tense context. The region had suffered, a week earlier, a series of brutal attacks targeting about 23 villages in the Bokkos Local Government Area. These prior incidents resulted in the death of over 150 people, exacerbating fear and uncertainty among the residents.

Garba Abdullahi, the President of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN), who confirmed these tragic events, also reported that Salisu Muhammad Sani Idris, the younger brother of the slain imam, was injured in this attack. He is currently receiving treatment at the Dung Hospital in the town of Bokkos, testifying to the severity of the assault.

According to the GAFDAN President, the attack unfolded abruptly and shockingly. The chief imam and his brother had returned to their community to retrieve belongings left behind in the wake of the recent attacks. It was during this attempt to salvage their possessions that the assailants attacked them, killing the imam and grievously injuring his brother with a machete.

Meanwhile, the tragedy of Muhammad Gambo unfolded around the Bokkos market. As an okada rider, he was killed while transporting a passenger in the area, illustrating the unpredictable and pervasive nature of violence in Plateau State.

These incidents have been reported to the Bokkos security agencies for immediate action. This latest series of attacks underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and effective response to restore peace and security in the region. As communities continue to mourn their losses, the imperative to find lasting solutions to end this cycle of violence becomes increasingly pressing.