MURDEROUS NATION: A’IBOM, ANAMBRA, IMO LEAD PACK

Reading Sunday PUNCH of November 21, 2010 (page 3); I was shocked that 74,064 murders and similar cases took place in Nigeria within two years only. These are the recorded ones and came it is authentic, coming from the Police Annual Report.

Leading the pack of State-by-State analysis with high pedigree in these crimes is Akwa Ibom State with a population (of 3.9million) but also considered richest (netting about N20billion monthly) among its peers.  This could explain that mediocrity and cultism may be the bedrock of that State’s present leadership. The Police Report had it that in 2009 alone Akwa Ibom recorded 177 murders (most of which is said to be politically motiviated), 62 attempted murders, one manslaughter, eight suicide, 21 attempted suicides, 100 of grievous harm and wounding, 320 assaults, 18 child stealing, 93 rape cases and indecent assaults, 29 kidnappings, etc. The report’s comparative figures showed that this was not the trend pre-2007.

Immediately trailing is Anambra that earns about 25% of Akwa Ibom’s income; it had 161 murder cases, 12 attempted murders, 26 suicides, 113 grievous harm and wounding, 96 assault, 22 child stealing, 76 rapes and indecent assaults, and others. Imo had 156 murder cases, attempted murders, 19 kidnappings, 179 grievous harm and wo0unding, 311 assaults, etc.

Ironically Lagos that has about 17million populations according to the Police Report trailed many States; it recorded only 57 kidnappings, 148 murder cases, 33 attempted murder, 11 child stealing, 560 rape cases, etc.  Akwa Ibom has populations of 3.9million; Anambra 4.1million and Imo 2.5million.

Other States with varied murder cases are Edo (79), Kaduna (75), Yobe (63), Borno (91), Ogun (53), Taraba (60), Rivers (51), Abuja (52), Ebonyi (61), Gombe (42), Jigawa (30), Kano (66), Kogi (46), Bayelsa (37) Enugu (35), Oyo (53), Rivers (51), Zamfara (36), Katsina (32), and Ondo (26). The report revealed ironies. The quantum makes the military chuckle; it was not that bad.

Biodun Bashiru Lati, Solomon Lar Way, Utako District, ABUJA.