Amnesty International, on Thursday, revealed that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago, more than 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by armed groups across several northern states, with Benue recording the highest death toll of 6,896 fatalities, followed by Plateau state with at least 2,630 deaths.

The crisis has escalated despite promises from the government to improve security, the group said in its recent investigation.

Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated, ?Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country.?

He added that President Tinubu must urgently address the resurgence of the nation?s security challenges, noting that recent escalations by Boko Haram and other armed groups indicate the current security measures are ineffective.

New armed groups have emerged during this period, including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states and Mamuda in Kwara state. Hundreds of villages have been attacked or sacked in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau, and Zamfara states. In Zamfara alone, 638 villages have been destroyed by bandits, and 725 villages remain under bandit control across 13 local government areas.

The violence in Zamfara has been relentless, with daily attacks leading to the deaths of over 273 people and the abduction of 467 others in the past two years. Maru local government area has experienced intensified attacks, including one on April 24, 2025, where over 20 miners were killed at a site in Gobirawar Chali.

The Lakurawa group has been responsible for at least 70 deaths in 22 attacks in Kebbi state.

Benue and Plateau states have witnessed particularly severe violence. In Plateau?s Bokkos local government area, a coordinated attack on April 3, 2025, resulted in the deaths of many, including children and entire families. In Benue, attackers have destroyed boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship in addition to killing residents.

Amnesty International reports that all 23 local government areas of Benue state have suffered attacks, with over 200 villages sacked and frequent violence in Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Gwer West, Gwer East, Apa, and Agatu.

These attacks have displaced approximately 450,000 people in Benue alone. In Plateau, armed herders have carried out 38 attacks in the past two years, displacing about 65,000 people. Some displaced communities have faced repeated violence, including attacks on IDP camps.

The humanitarian situation is worsening as most affected are farmers who have lost access to their land, threatening food security. Many displaced persons in Plateau and Katsina states report resorting to begging for survival. Farmers in Zamfara?s Dangulbi district are unable to transport sweet potato harvests to market due to bandit activity. Isa Sanusi highlighted that ?these attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood.?

Recent attacks in Sokoto?s Isa local government area between May 9 and 11 saw four villages sacked, displacing residents who now face food insecurity. Gunmen reportedly impose levies on residents in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina via phone threats, with non-payment punishable by death.

Criticism of the government response is widespread. A resident of Maru, Zamfara state, told Amnesty International, ?The only relationship between us and the government is that they issue media statements after we are attacked and killed. That is all they do. When the next attack comes, they will issue another empty statement while bandits escalate their atrocities. We are helpless.?

Under international law, Nigerian authorities are obliged to protect lives, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide justice and remedies for victims. Amnesty International asserts the government has consistently failed to meet these responsibilities. Isa Sanusi urged, ?Authorities must move swiftly to match their words with serious and concrete action to guarantee the human rights of everyone in Nigeria if they are to be taken seriously on their oft-expressed commitment to stop the killings, violence, abductions and other human rights crimes in several parts of the country.?

He warned that ongoing impunity is perpetuating insecurity and called for an end to the nationwide bloodshed, stressing that time is running out as attacks increase daily.

Amnesty International has monitored these conflicts since 2016 and continues to document the government?s failure to protect vulnerable rural communities. (The Guardian)

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