Amnesty International Nigeria has raised alarm over a surge in deadly attacks across northern Nigeria, reporting that at least 323 people were killed within the first 20 days of February in separate incidents affecting rural communities.
According to the rights group, the killings occurred in villages across Benue State, Katsina State, Kwara State, Kebbi State, Niger State and Zamfara State.
The organisation said the rising death toll underscores what it described as the failure of the administration of Bola Tinubu to implement an effective strategy to halt years of violence perpetrated by armed groups and gunmen. It noted that persistent attacks and the inability of authorities to bring suspected perpetrators to justice continue to threaten the right to life.
Amnesty International stated that since 2020, it has documented a recurring pattern in which heavily armed attackers, often arriving on motorcycles, invade villages, open fire indiscriminately, abduct residents—including women and girls—burn homes, rustle livestock, destroy farm produce and carry out kidnappings for ransom.
The group also reported that in some recent cases, communities received warning letters from armed groups prior to attacks. It cited an incident in Niger State where an assault reportedly lasted from 3:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Residents interviewed by the organisation alleged that security forces failed to intervene promptly, leaving communities vulnerable. Amnesty International reiterated that the government has a constitutional and international obligation to safeguard lives and ensure accountability, warning that the escalating violence in northern Nigeria reflects serious gaps in civilian protection.
