Human rights organisation, Amnesty International Nigeria, has raised concern over a surge in deadly attacks on rural communities across several northern states, saying hundreds of people have been killed within weeks.
Securitynewsalert.com observed that Amnesty International, in a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, said that at least 323 people were killed in different attacks across Benue State, Katsina State, Kwara State, Kebbi State, Niger State and Zamfara State within the first 20 days of February.
According to the organisation, “Twenty days into February, at least 323 people have been killed in different attacks on rural communities” in the affected states.
The group criticised the federal government led by Bola Tinubu, alleging that authorities have yet to present an effective strategy to curb the violence.
“The rising death toll clearly shows that President Bola Tinubu and his government have no effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups and gunmen that have killed thousands of people,” Amnesty International Nigeria stated.
The organisation also warned that persistent attacks and a lack of accountability continue to threaten citizens’ fundamental rights.
“Incessant killings and the shocking failure of the authorities to end them and bring suspected perpetrators to justice have been and continue to be a threat to the right to life in Nigeria,” the group added.
Amnesty International Nigeria further said it has, since 2020, documented recurring patterns in the attacks on rural communities. According to the organisation, armed groups often storm villages on motorcycles, heavily armed, shooting sporadically and carrying out multiple acts of violence.
“Since 2020, Amnesty International has been documenting a horrifying pattern in which attackers invade villages on motorcycles and are heavily armed. They shoot sporadically at people, abduct women and girls, set houses on fire, steal livestock, destroy farm produce and abduct villagers for ransom,” the organisation said.
The group also noted that in some recent incidents, villagers reportedly received warning letters from armed groups ahead of attacks, which sometimes lasted for hours. It cited an example of an attack in parts of Niger State that reportedly began around 3:00 a.m. and continued until about 10:00 a.m.
“Most villagers told Amnesty International that the government left them at the mercy of their attackers,” the organisation said, stressing that authorities have a duty to protect citizens.
“The government has an obligation to protect its population. The rising death toll in the north of Nigeria shows just how badly the authorities are failing in this responsibility,” Amnesty International Nigeria added.
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