Amnesty International has condemned the killing of nine farmers in a bandit attack on Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the incident as another tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity confronting rural communities in northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the human rights organisation said the attack, which occurred on Saturday, July 4, also left at least six persons missing and nine others seriously injured.
Amnesty International noted that communities in Birnin Gwari have endured relentless attacks by armed bandits for more than a decade, accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate protection for residents or bring perpetrators to justice.
The organisation warned that the renewed wave of violence comes at the height of the farming season, raising serious concerns about food security and the livelihoods of rural communities already struggling under persistent insecurity.
According to Amnesty International, the continued targeting of farmers is likely to have far-reaching humanitarian and economic consequences, as fear of attacks could prevent many residents from cultivating their farmlands.
The rights group also questioned the effectiveness of the Kaduna State Government’s peace initiative with armed groups, arguing that the latest attacks indicate the arrangement has failed to curb violence.
“Recent renewed attacks clearly show that bandits are still on the rampage in the area, making life unbearable for villagers,” the organisation said, adding that the escalating violence demonstrates that the so-called peace deal has not delivered the desired security outcomes.
Amnesty International stressed that the people of Birnin Gwari deserve to live in peace and security, urging the Federal and Kaduna State governments to take decisive measures to halt the persistent attacks and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
The organisation further stated that the continued killings and the authorities’ inability to end the violence constitute a grave threat to the right to life, calling for urgent and effective action to protect vulnerable communities and restore public confidence in the state’s ability to guarantee security.
