Nigeria: Assassins kill traditional monarch, abduct wife in palace raid

Unidentified gunmen shot dead Oba Aremu Olusegun Cole, one of Nigeria’s revered traditional monarch in Kwara state. The assailants, after storming the palace, not only claimed the life of the monarch but also abducted his wife and another individual on Thursday.

This incident contributes to the growing concern and outrage surrounding the escalating number of abductions taking place across the nation.

The attack occurred in the south-western region of Kwara state, prompting swift action from the state police, who have launched an investigation into the incident. In response to the rising security challenges, authorities have bolstered security measures in the affected areas.

This unfortunate event adds to a series of similar attacks that have become distressingly common in Nigeria, a country grappling with a multifaceted security crisis. Just days before this incident, two traditional rulers fell victim to unknown gunmen in the neighboring Ekiti state, underscoring the pervasiveness of violence in the region.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assumed office with a promise to address the nation’s security issues, now faces mounting criticism as violence continues to spiral out of control.

His commitment to tackling challenges ranging from jihadist threats in the north-east to criminal militias in the north-west and intercommunal violence in the central regions appears to be increasingly tested.

According to a report by the Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence, the period since President Tinubu took office in May has witnessed a disturbing surge in abductions, with a recorded total of 3,964 people falling victim to such incidents.

This tragedy comes on the heels of a harrowing incident at the beginning of the year, where criminals abducted five young sisters near the capital, Abuja. The situation got worse when one of the sisters lost her life following the expiration of a ransom deadline, sparking a nationwide outcry and further highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive security measures.

As Nigeria grapples with these distressing realities, there is a pressing demand for decisive actions and strategies to curb the rising tide of violence and ensure the safety of its citizens.