Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 17 people, including individuals who reportedly travelled home to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with their families, following a gunmen attack on Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State on 1 June 2026.
The organisation said the attack, which also involved the looting of homes and businesses, reflects the continuing vulnerability of rural communities to armed violence and the urgent need for stronger protection measures.
Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to promptly investigate the incident, identify and prosecute those responsible in fair judicial proceedings, and strengthen security arrangements in communities at risk. It also called for adequate support for survivors, displaced persons, and families affected by the attack.
According to the group, the killing of civilians in Dangulbi underscores persistent gaps in the protection of lives and property in remote areas, where residents continue to face repeated assaults by armed groups.
The organisation noted that the fact that some of the victims had returned home to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir with relatives makes the incident particularly tragic, stressing that communities must be able to gather and observe religious and cultural events without fear of violence.
Amnesty International further described the attack as part of a broader pattern of insecurity affecting parts of eastern Sokoto State and neighbouring regions, where repeated incidents of killings, abductions, and displacement have disrupted livelihoods and farming activities.
It called on both federal and state authorities to move beyond reactive responses and adopt sustained measures aimed at preventing further attacks, ensuring accountability, and restoring safety and stability in affected communities.
Amnesty International reiterated that the protection of the right to life remains a core obligation of the Nigerian state, and urged coordinated action to ensure that affected communities can rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
