Rights group, Amnesty International
has observed that the inability of Federal Government to bring attackers to justice is encouraging them and fueling rising insecurity across the country.
The group made the observation in a statement signed by its media officer, Isa Sanusi on the horrific killing of over 140 people by gunmen across over 20 villages of Bokkos and parts of Barkin-Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
It accused the Nigerian authorities of abandoning these communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen
The statement added that the failure of the Nigerian authorities to tame the tide of violence ‘is costing people’s lives and livelihoods’, warning that without immediate action many more lives may be lost.
The group noted that President Bola Tinubu had promised during his inauguration to put in place new ways of addressing increasing insecurity in the country, but added that the attacks in Plateau state and recently in some parts of Benue, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina state revealed that protecting lives and property is low on the list of his priorities.
The group stated that issuing statements condemning the attacks was not enough adding that genuine commitment to protecting the people must be demonstrated by ensuring justice.
The statement reads “The Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed the horrific killing of over 140 people by gunmen across over 20 villages of Bokkos and parts of Barkin-Ladi local government area of Plateau state.
“Our investigation shows that the gunmen were on a rampage of killing and destruction for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another. Apart from Bokkos local government area where the attacks started and lasted hours, the gunmen also crossed into Barkin Ladi local government area and killed dozens of people in Hurum, Daruwat, Maiyanga and NTV villages.
“President Bola Tinubu must set up an impartial, independent and effective panel to investigate the apparent failure of security agencies to halt the bloodshed hours after villages that were attacked were gathering dead bodies of those killed and conveying those injured to hospitals,” said Isa Sanusi Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Patterns of recent deadly attacks on the rural areas of Plateau state, clearly show, the Nigerian authorities have left these communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen. Nigerian authorities’ failure to tame the tide of this violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action many more lives may be lost,” said Isa Sanusi
Although President Bola Tinubu promised to put in place new ways of addressing increasing insecurity in the country, the attacks in Plateau state and recently in some parts of Benue, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina state show that protecting lives and property is low on the list of the government’s priorities. Issuing statements condemning the attacks is not enough and genuine commitment to protecting the people must be demonstrated by ensuring justice.
“The brazen failure of the authorities to protect the people of Nigeria is gradually becoming the ‘norm.’ President Bola Tinubu said he will enact security measures in response to these attacks, but these promises have so far proven to be empty,” said Isa Sanusi
According to to the group, the Nigerian authorities were obliged under international human rights law, regional human rights treaties and Nigeria’s own constitution to protect the human rights of all people without discrimination.
Amnesty International urged the. Federal Government to independently investigate all the Plateau attacks and ensure accountability by bringing the perpetrators to justice. .
“Spate of these killings is an evidence of failure of authorities to protect the people. Inability of authorities to bring attackers to justice is fueling impunity”, it added.
