KANO/MAIDUGURI – Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has warned that Nigeria is already engulfed in a deep security crisis, stating that bandits and insurgents now live freely among citizens. His remarks came as nine people were killed on Saturday in a suspected Boko Haram bomb attack in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.
The victims, mostly villagers waiting at a bus stop in Mairari village, died when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded around 11am. The blast, which also injured several others, has once again drawn attention to the worsening security situation in the Northeast.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, expressed sorrow over the deaths and prayed for the recovery of the wounded, many of whom were rushed to Monguno and Maiduguri for treatment.
“It is unfortunate that nine of my resilient constituents were killed by planted IEDs today in Mairari,” Lawan said. “May Allah grant their souls Aljanatul Firdaus. I also pray for quick recovery of those injured.”
Lawan lamented that Mairari, previously resettled twice, had been repeatedly deserted due to constant attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. Despite displacement, some residents return periodically to farm, exposing themselves to grave risks.
In response to persistent assaults near military installations, the Bale Galtimari Consultative Forum has called on the Federal Government to relocate Giwa Barracks from its current location in Maiduguri. Speaking at a press briefing, the Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on Culture and Regional Integration cited repeated insurgent attacks near the barracks and their traumatic impact on residents.
“The people surrounding the barracks suffer constant shocks and trauma. For us to defeat this wave of insecurity, elected officials and community leaders must go beyond political silence and protect lives and property,” the adviser said.
Meanwhile, during the 60th birthday celebration of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Abuja, Emir Sanusi issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s deteriorating security condition.
“For all those cautioning that we should be careful before entering a crisis, please wake up. We are living with bandits and Boko Haram. We are already in crisis. The question is: how do we get out of it?” he said.
Sanusi also linked the nation’s deepening poverty to leadership failures, noting that poor governance has worsened insecurity and eroded the country’s social and economic stability.
The Emir’s comments and the latest tragedy in Borno underscore the urgency of decisive national action to confront insurgency and restore peace to affected communities.
