Amnesty International says President Bola Tinubu’s government is failing to protect Nigerians as killings surge in the North.
Amnesty International has again condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration for failing to contain escalating killings in northern Nigeria, especially in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara States.
Citing recent attacks in several Plateau communities, where no fewer than 30 Nigerians were killed, the organisation said nothing has changed about the devastating situation despite Mr Tinubu’s repeated claims to have tasked the security agencies.
“The president claims to have repeatedly tasked security agencies to end the killing so that rural communities in some parts of northern Nigeria can go to bed with their eyes closed, but clearly nothing has changed,” the rights organisation said in a statement on Friday.
According to Amnesty International, gunmen killed 13 people in Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State on Tuesday.
Also, it said gunmen killed nine people and abducted several others in Layin Danauta Kuyello, Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, last Friday, and eight were killed in an ambush on Funtua-Gusau Road, as well as the abduction of dozens of worshippers at a mosque in Maradawa, Gusau LGA in Zamfara.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns escalating attacks on rural communities by gunmen,” the rights organisation said.
It decried security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, lamenting that no perpetrators have been arrested.
“In addition to the security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed,” it said.
Amnesty International tasked the government to protect Nigerians, adding that the rising deaths typify its failure to address insecurity in the country.
“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,” the rights organisation stated.
Amnesty International’s statement came against the backdrop of recent killings and kidnappings for ransom in the country, especially in Plateau, Zamfara, Kaduna, and other states.