Amnesty International has condemned the killing of more than 50 people in separate attacks on rural communities in Plateau and Sokoto states within one week, accusing Nigerian authorities of failing to adequately protect lives and property.
The rights organisation said at least 32 residents were killed on August 12, 2026, in an attack on communities in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while more than 20 people were reportedly killed and several others injured in a separate attack on Amper village in the BWI district of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Amnesty International described the attacks by armed groups as further evidence of the deteriorating security situation in rural communities and what it called the failure of the authorities to prevent recurrent killings.
“These violent attacks by different armed groups once again show utter failure of Nigerian authorities to protect lives and property,” the organisation said.
It called on the Federal Government and relevant security authorities to launch independent, impartial and thorough investigations into the attacks in Plateau and Sokoto states.
The rights group also urged the authorities to identify and arrest those responsible and ensure that suspects are prosecuted through fair trials.
Amnesty International said the government’s obligation to protect citizens is anchored in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which establishes the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.
It further noted that Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including Articles 4 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), require the protection of the rights to life and bodily integrity.
The organisation warned that continued attacks without effective accountability risk deepening a culture of impunity and exposing more communities to violence.
“The Nigerian government must urgently end the bloodshed. Failure to end these violent attacks is emboldening impunity and endangering more lives,” Amnesty International said.
It urged the government to strengthen security measures, protect vulnerable rural communities and ensure that perpetrators of attacks are brought to justice.
