Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Amnesty International (AI) says bandits
have killed at least 1,126 villagers across
Nigeria in 2020.
A new report released by the human rights
watchdog on Monday said the killings were
carried out from January to June 2020
during which about 380 people were also
abducted by the bandits.
Incessant attacks across some northern
states which have been blamed on bandits
have left many either dead or kidnapped,
including those who have had to flee their
homes and take cover in hotels.
Amnesty International said while security
operatives did not heed warning signs
about some impending attacks, relevant
authorities have failed to bring the killers to
justice — and this “fuels impunity”.
“The Nigerian authorities have left rural
communities at the mercy of rampaging
gunmen who have killed at least 1,126
people in the north of the country since
January,” the report read.
“Amnesty International has documented an
alarming escalation in attacks and
abductions in several states in north west
and north central Nigeria since January 2020.
“Worst affected are villages in the south of
Kaduna State, where armed men killed at
least 366 people in multiple attacks
between January and July 2020.”
Osai Ojigho, AI country director, said the
failure of security forces to take sufficient
steps to protect villagers from these
“predictable” attacks is “utterly shameful”.
“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,”
she added.
”The President claims he has repeatedly
tasked security agencies to end the killing
so that Nigerians can go to bed with their
eyes closed, but clearly nothing has changed”
The organisation said it interviewed
residents in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger,
Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara
states, who said they “live in fear of attacks
and abductions as insecurity escalates in
rural areas”.
It quoted residents as lamenting how
security forces often arrive “hours after
attacks have ended, even when officers
have been given information about
impending attacks”.
“During one attack in Unguwan Magaji in
Kaduna state, security forces arrived at the
scene but left when they saw the
sophisticated ammunition the attackers
were using. By the time they returned, at
least 17 people had been killed,” the report said.
AI said while the killings have continued,
those who speak out against them
including farmers, activists and rights
groups are “subjected to intimidation,
arrest and torture” for speaking out against
the attacks.
“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,” it said.
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