…Tinubu pulls 100,000 policemen from VIPs in frantic effort to curb menace
By Obinna Uballa
Nigeria’s worsening security crisis continued over the weekend, with multiple attacks in some states, leaving five policemen dead, several communities traumatised, and at least 12 women abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.
The violence unfolded amid renewed appeals for unity and stronger political will to confront insecurity in the North.
In Borno, suspected Boko Haram fighters abducted 12 women in Mussa district of Askira-Uba Local Government Area on Saturday. The victims were seized around 5 p.m. as they returned from their farms.
Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the abduction on Sunday, saying an investigation had begun.
“There was an abduction yesterday in Askira-Uba. Twelve females were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists while returning from the farm,” he said, urging residents to remain calm as security operations intensify.
Residents told journalists that relatives alerted the community when the women failed to return home. “We have informed our elected leaders, traditional rulers, and security agencies,” one resident said.
In a separate incident, insurgents launched a two-hour midnight attack on Magumeri Local Government Area, also in Borno. The attackers arrived around 1:15 a.m. on motorcycles, shooting intermittently and torching houses, vehicles, and shops.
ASP Daso said no lives were lost, noting that joint security forces restored calm after repelling the invaders.
Magumeri Council Chairman, Abubakar Abdulkadir Yaro, said the attackers fled around 3 a.m. after meeting stiff resistance from troops, the Civilian JTF, hunters and volunteers. Residents described the assault as “coordinated and planned.”
Zulum Declares State-wide Fasting and Prayer
Following the renewed violence, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, declared Monday, November 24, as a state-wide day of fasting and prayers, calling on residents of all faiths to seek divine intervention.
“As people of faith, we believe our security strategy must be underpinned by prayers,” Zulum said in a broadcast, urging the public to seek God’s protection against “sabotage and evil-doers.”
Five Policemen Killed in Bauchi Ambush
In Bauchi State, five police officers were killed and two injured on Saturday after a tactical team on patrol was ambushed near Sabon Sara village in Darazo Local Government Area.
The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the deaths in a statement by its spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, who identified the slain officers as DSP Ahmad Muhammad, ASP Mustapha Muhammad, Inspectors Amarhel Yunusa and Idris Ahmed, and Corporal Isah Muazu.
Wakil said the officers came under attack around 11:30 a.m. during a visibility patrol aimed at preventing farmer–herder conflict.
“Five officers paid the supreme price, and two were injured, while a certain number of bandits were neutralised,” he said, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had visited the scene and ordered a manhunt for the attackers.
The incident occurred days after gunmen killed a police officer in Abuja during an attempted abduction.
Kwara Abductions: All 38 CAC Worshippers Regain Freedom
Amid the wave of violence, there was relief in Kwara State on Sunday as all 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, regained their freedom after several days in captivity.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced their release in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, crediting President Bola Tinubu for leading the rescue effort.
“The governor is immensely grateful to President Bola Tinubu for his direct initiative that made this happen,” the statement said, adding that the coordinated operation involved multiple security agencies.
Northern Leaders Renew Call for Unity
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, speaking at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Kaduna, said the North has the capacity to overcome its security challenges if political leaders act in unity.
“With the right actions and effective use of our resources, we will overcome insecurity and every other challenge confronting our region,” he said.
Tinubu pulls 100,000 policemen from VIPs
In a related development, not less than 100,000 police officers attached to Very Important Persons and politicians will be withdrawn and redeployed to core policing duties, including counter-insurgency operations, as part of a strategy to rout the terrorists rampaging across the country.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers at a security meeting held on Sunday in Abuja, attended by Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said VIPs requiring protection will now be assigned armed operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead of the police.
An estimated 100,000 policemen are attached to VIPs and politically exposed persons across the country, while fewer personnel are available for public protection.
