Amnesty International has condemned the recent surge in deadly attacks on rural communities across northern Nigeria, describing it as further evidence of the government’s failure to protect its citizens.
The human rights organisation expressed deep concern over a series of violent incidents this week that claimed dozens of lives in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara states.
According to reports, 13 people were killed on Tuesday in separate attacks on Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), Plateau State.
In a separate incident on Friday around 4:00 p.m., gunmen invaded Layin Danauta Kuyello community in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, killing at least nine persons, looting shops, and abducting an unspecified number of residents.
Similarly, in Zamfara State, eight people were killed in an ambush along the Funtua–Gusau Road, while dozens of worshippers were abducted during early morning prayers at a mosque in Maradawa, Gusau LGA.
Amnesty International criticised the government’s response, noting that despite repeated assurances by the President that security agencies had been directed to end the killings, the situation on the ground “clearly shows nothing has changed.” “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,” Amnesty stated.
The organisation emphasised that the Nigerian government bears a constitutional and moral obligation to protect its citizens, warning that the rising death toll across northern Nigeria demonstrates a “grave dereliction of duty.” “The government has an obligation to protect its population,” the statement added. “The rising death toll in the north of Nigeria shows just how badly the authorities are failing in this responsibility.”
Amnesty called on the federal government to urgently review its security strategy, ensure accountability for attacks, and restore public confidence in the state’s ability to safeguard lives and property.
