The global human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, on Tuesday revealed that bandits killed about 112 persons, while about 160 others were kidnapped in bloody attacks in Kaduna and Plateau states in the past one month.
Amnesty International in a communique issued on Tuesday, decried that the deaths were a function of the failure of the Nigerian government to live up to its obligation to protect the right to life.
The human rights group lamented that the failure of the Nigerian authorities to provide adequate security for citizens fueled the bloody attacks on both farmers and herders, in parts of Kaduna and Plateau states. Within the month.
According to Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria, “At least 112 people were killed, 160 abducted and thousands displaced in communities in Kaduna and Plateau states from July to 5 August 2021.
“Our findings show that despite clear signs that there will be retaliatory attacks, enough is not being done to prevent the bloodshed, thereby fueling the ongoing circle of violence.
“Beyond issuing statements and condemning attacks after they happen; government needs to rein in on attackers and bring suspects to justice.”
Amnesty International further disclosed that its investigation shows at least 78 people were killed and 160 abducted by bandits between 3 July and 5 August 2021 in Kaduna State, including 121 school children of Bethel Baptist Church High School.
AI highlighted further that no fewer than 34 persons lost their lives in Plateau State, including 7 herders who were attacked on 1 July at Dogon Gaba and 2 others who were lynched at Fusa Village while trying to locate their missing cow.
“Villagers from farming communities, informed Amnesty International that, innocent people and communities that know nothing about the attacks are sometimes targeted for reprisal.
“A retaliatory attack on 31 July and 1 August 2021, led to the killing of at least 17 people, and displacements of hundreds in farming communities in Bassa and Riyom LGAs, Plateau state,” the group stated.
It highlighted that a 39-year-old farmer is said to have informed Amnesty international that:
“We have been hearing gunshots in our village since Monday after the attack. We don’t know why we were attacked, I had to relocate to the IDP camp with my family”.
The report farther indicated that leaders of some Fulani herders’ community in Plateau State told Amnesty International that the inaction of the security officials contributed to the recent retaliatory attacks in the state.
Amnesty International, therefore, decried that “The slow and ineffective response by security officials is contributing to the attacks and reprisal in the state, people are getting away with crimes.”
The group advocated that Nigerians have a right to be protected by the government, challenging the Nigerian authorities to “act swiftly to prevent such attacks from happening”; warning that “the slow response from security forces is clearly causing increased casualties”.
Amnesty International expressed perturbation how long people must be forced to live in fear as such brutal attacks continue.
Amnesty International chided the Nigerian government for allowing herders/farmers’ clashes which have persisted for a long time in Nigeria, especially in the north where the two groups battle over access to resources including water, land and pasture.
The group noted that the conflict has become perpetual, thus, noting that such persists because of the failure of the Nigerian government to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators. The bandits operate with impunity and no one account for the crimes, the group lamented.