Insecurity: Amnesty International Raises Alarm, Says Over 10,200 Killed by Gunmen Under Tinubu Govt
Amnesty International has said that at least 10,217 people were killed in attacks by gunmen across seven states during the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The international human rights organisation said the killings were recorded in Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Amnesty International disclosed this in a statement posted on its official Facebook page on Monday.
According to the organisation, Benue State recorded the highest death toll, followed by Plateau State, where 2,630 people were killed.
“In the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s government at least 10,217 people were killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara state. Benue state accounts for the highest death toll followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity, saying the situation had worsened despite Tinubu’s promise to improve security after assuming office.
“It is now over three 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,” it said.
Amnesty International further raised concerns over the emergence and activities of new armed groups, which it said had escalated attacks in parts of the country.
“In the first two years since President Bola Tinubu’s government assumed power, new armed groups have escalated attacks: including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi state, and Mamuda in Kwara state, while hundreds of villages have been sacked by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara,” the statement said.
The rights group warned that the increasing attacks were creating a looming humanitarian crisis, with displaced residents in some affected states struggling to meet their basic needs.
“Escalating attacks are causing a looming humanitarian crisis. The majority of those displaced in Plateau and Katsina states told Amnesty International that they had to resort to begging to survive daily life,” it said.
It also highlighted the impact of insecurity on farming and livelihoods in Zamfara State, saying farmers in Dangulbi district had been prevented by bandits from taking their produce to market.
“At Dangulbi district of Zamfara state, farmers have to watch their harvest of sweet potatoes rot because bandits have prevented them from transporting them to the nearest market,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation said Nigerian authorities have an obligation under international human rights law to protect lives, hold perpetrators of killings accountable and guarantee victims access to justice and effective remedies.
“Again and again, the Nigerian authorities are failing to live up to these obligations,” it said.
