Over 300 killed in February attacks across six northern states – Amnesty International
At least 323 people have been killed in various attacks on rural communities across six northern Nigerian states in the first 20 days of February, according to Amnesty International.
In a statement shared on its official X account on Saturday, the human rights organization detailed that the violence occurred in Benue, Katsina, Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara states.
Amnesty International indicated that the rising death toll underscores the lack of an effective government response to ongoing violence by armed groups and gunmen, which has claimed thousands of lives in recent years.
The organization criticized the government’s inability to halt these attacks and bring perpetrators to justice, emphasizing that this is a grave threat to the right to life in Nigeria. “Incessant killings and the shocking failure of the authorities to end them and bring suspected perpetrators to justice continue to threaten the right to life in Nigeria,” the statement read.
Since 2020, Amnesty has documented a disturbing trend of attacks on rural communities. The group reported that armed assailants often arrive on motorcycles, heavily armed, and begin shooting indiscriminately at residents.
These attackers abduct women and girls, burn homes, steal livestock, destroy agricultural products, and kidnap villagers for ransom. Some communities have received “warning letters” from armed groups prior to assaults.
In certain incidents, attacks have lasted for several hours. Amnesty cited a recent case in Niger State where an assault reportedly began around 3:00 a.m. and continued until approximately 10:00 a.m.
“Most villagers told Amnesty International that the government left them at the mercy of their attackers,” the statement noted. The organization reiterated that the government has a constitutional obligation to safeguard lives and property.
“The rising death toll in northern Nigeria highlights the government’s failure to fulfill this responsibility,” Amnesty International concluded.
