Blood Bath in Nigeria
Over 70 Nigerians killed in one weekend
Good morning, Big Brains. Yesterday, I told my friends there’s been a shift in how Nigerians process information. It’s almost as if we’ve been so traumatised that we no longer feel real emotions about anything. Last weekend was bloody in four Nigerian states, yet it’s business as usual to most people.
This Week’s Big Question: “Do you still believe in a “better Nigeria?” Share your responses with us, and if we think they’re fun enough, we’ll feature them in the newsletter :) so be on the lookout.
- Margaret
Word count: ~ 1,100
Reading time ~ 7 mins
Let’s get into the news you missed during the weekend:
Over 70 Nigerians killed in one weekend
Trump’s beef with Iran is getting worse
The Big Deal
Over 70 Nigerians killed in one weekend
While some Nigerians carried out their weekend plans, the residents of Borno, Kebbi, Kano and Plateau states were burying their dead.
At least 71 people were killed in a bloody wave of violence that spread across the country. In Kebbi, 30 people were killed in separate bandit attacks on communities in Zuru and Danko Wasagu Local Government Areas (LGAs). The chairmen of the affected areas, Muhammad Gajere and Hussaini Bena, said 16 people were killed in Tadurga, while 14 more lost their lives in Kyebu and Yar-Kuka.
In Borno, at least 24 people were killed in Konduga local government area when a female suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a crowded food joint on Friday, June 20. Vice President Kashim Shettima condemned the attack, calling it “an act of terror that must be resisted.”
In Plateau State, a mob in Mangun District of Mangu LGA killed 12 wedding guests travelling from Zaria, Kaduna State, on Friday, June 20. The victims had lost their way while heading to Qua’an Pan LGA and reportedly stopped to ask for directions. They were surrounded and attacked by a violent mob that killed the driver, set the bus on fire, and assaulted the passengers. Eight bodies were recovered, four remain missing, while the eleven who survived are being treated for injuries.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the attack as “condemnable and avoidable,” promising to ensure justice is served. So far, 22 suspects linked to the attack have been arrested.
On Saturday, June 21, a suspected military mortar bomb exploded in the Sabon Gari area of Kano state, killing at least five people and injuring 15 others. According to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, the explosive may have been part of an improperly handled military weapon, but investigations are ongoing to determine the exact source and cause of the explosion.
Why is this a big deal?
In less than two weeks, Nigeria has lost over 270 of its citizens to questionable attacks. This is particularly wild because our weekly death toll has been rivalling those of warring countries.
In Iran, for instance, over 400 civilians have been killed since the war with Israel began. Nigeria, on the other hand, continues to record avoidable deaths. For example, the five people who were killed in Kano state because of what is believed to be an avoidable mistake on the military’s part. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the family of the deceased will get any form of justice for the death of their loved ones.
Despite these continued violent attacks, our president, who has never been one to resist a nice time in a foreign country, is already planning his next pleasure-with-a-side-of-business trip to Saint Lucia.
It begs the question someone needs to answer before more people lose their lives – is the Nigerian government truly working towards a safer Nigeria?
Trump’s beef with Iran is getting worse
We speak for a certain group of vulnerable Americans when we say, “Who needs enemies when you have a president like Donald Trump?” The U.S president has upgraded from sharing threat-like comments about Iran to launching a full-blown attack against the country.
After ordering coordinated airstrikes on three major nuclear facilities in Iran (Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordo) on June 22, Trump warned the country to either “make peace” or prepare for even more devastating hits.
This move, which many are calling a major escalation, is the first direct U.S military intervention since the Israel-Iran conflict exploded days ago.
Iran, on the other hand, doesn’t seem too crazy about the “make peace” idea. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned the U.S. attack and promised “everlasting consequences” because Iran has the right to defend itself.
President Isaac Herzog of Israel described the attack as “historic” and praised the U.S for stepping up.
While these three countries continue to form a dangerous trio, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has made it clear that the United Kingdom was not involved in the strikes.
With Iran refusing to be the bigger person and Trump insisting on an ironic peace proposition, the coming days are about to be eventful for all the countries involved.
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The federal government of this country is too good at verbally condemning but not physically acting
It is well o
The comments from the government are irritating. It as if they are commenting on a movie not real lives