Amnesty International has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for what it described as a continuing failure to protect citizens amid worsening violence and killings across northern Nigeria.
The rights group, in a statement issued on Friday, said the spate of deadly attacks in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara States underscores the government’s inability to stop armed groups terrorising rural communities.
“The president claims to have repeatedly tasked security agencies to end the killings so that rural communities in some parts of northern Nigeria can go to bed with their eyes closed, but clearly nothing has changed,” Amnesty International stated.
The organisation highlighted a series of recent attacks, noting that gunmen killed 13 people in Rachas village in Heipang District and Rawuru village in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Tuesday.
Similarly, it said nine persons were killed and several others abducted in Layin Danauta Kuyello, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, last Friday. It added that eight others lost their lives in an ambush along the Funtua–Gusau Road, while dozens of worshippers were kidnapped during prayers at a mosque in Maradawa, Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns escalating attacks on rural communities by gunmen,” the statement read. “In addition to the security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed.”
The organisation accused security agencies of repeated negligence and inaction, stressing that despite multiple alerts and the president’s public directives, there has been no meaningful improvement in the government’s response to insecurity.
“The government has an obligation to protect its population. The rising death toll in the north of Nigeria shows just how badly the authorities are failing in this responsibility,” Amnesty International warned.
The group further urged the federal government to take immediate, decisive steps to end the killings and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Nigeria has witnessed a surge in attacks by armed groups in recent months, particularly in Plateau, Kaduna, and Zamfara States, where banditry, kidnappings for ransom, and communal violence have displaced thousands and left many communities in fear.
President Tinubu has repeatedly promised to restore security and has directed security agencies to “deal decisively” with perpetrators. However, human rights groups and affected communities say those promises have not translated into improved safety on the ground.
Amnesty International’s latest statement adds to growing domestic and international concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation and the government’s slow response to the wave of violence in the country’s north.
