Amnesty raises alarm over bandit attacks in Niger, Zamfara
Amnesty International Nigeria has expressed alarm over a rise in bandit attacks affecting residents in Niger and Zamfara states. The human rights organization warned that hundreds of individuals have fled their homes and farms in search of safety.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Amnesty International reported that multiple communities near Rijau in Niger State and parts of Zamfara State have been impacted by the violence, forcing residents to abandon their properties amid ongoing insecurity. Many villagers have left behind belongings they have accumulated over the years, while farmers are abandoning their fields as the harvest season approaches.
The organization criticized the Nigerian government’s response to these incidents, describing it as grossly inadequate. “The Nigerian authorities have displayed a total disregard for people’s lives,” Amnesty International stated.
The group accused the Nigerian government of failing to provide proper protection for rural communities in northern Nigeria against armed groups that have carried out deadly attacks for years. “The Nigerian authorities have left rural communities in the north at the mercy of rampaging gunmen who have killed hundreds since 2018,” the organization said.
Amnesty International warned that the ongoing violence and mass displacement could lead to a significant humanitarian crisis, with severe implications for food security and the livelihoods of affected residents. “The failure to stem the violence is costing lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action, many more lives may be lost,” the statement continued.
The organization called for urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of life and economic stability.
