Amnesty International has criticised Nigerian authorities over renewed attacks by gunmen on communities in Sokoto State, saying the rising cases of killings, kidnappings and displacement in northern Nigeria show a serious failure of government to protect citizens.
The rights organisation raised the alarm on Wednesday following fresh attacks on communities in Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.
According to Amnesty International, several villages came under attack between Monday and Tuesday, forcing many residents to flee their homes while others were abducted by the attackers.
The organisation disclosed this in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, where it condemned what it described as the inability of authorities to stop the worsening insecurity in the northern part of the country.
Amnesty International said the attacks have once again exposed the dangers faced daily by residents of rural communities across the North-West and other troubled parts of Nigeria.
“The government has an obligation to protect its population,” the organisation stated.
It added that the increasing number of deaths, kidnappings and displacement across northern Nigeria reflected the scale of insecurity and the weakness of the government’s response.
“The rising death toll, abductions and displacement in the north of Nigeria shows just how badly the authorities are failing in this responsibility,” the statement added.
The organisation also called on the Nigerian government to urgently improve security in vulnerable communities and ensure that those behind attacks on civilians are arrested and prosecuted.
The latest attacks in Sokoto State are part of a growing wave of insecurity that has continued to trouble many communities in northern Nigeria over the past few years.
Residents in several states across the North-West and North-Central regions have repeatedly faced attacks by armed groups commonly referred to as bandits.
The criminal gangs are known for attacking villages, rustling cattle, kidnapping residents for ransom and killing people during raids on rural communities.
Sokoto State, particularly Isa and Sabon Birni local government areas, has remained one of the major flashpoints of banditry due to its location near forests and border communities that armed groups often use as hideouts.
Over the years, residents of affected communities have repeatedly complained about inadequate security presence and slow response to attacks.
Many villages in the area have experienced repeated invasions, leading to the destruction of homes, loss of livelihoods and mass displacement of families.
Although security agencies have carried out several military operations in parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states, attacks have continued in many rural communities.
In some cases, entire villages have been deserted as frightened residents fled to safer towns and internally displaced persons camps.
Human rights groups and security experts have continued to warn that the worsening humanitarian situation in northern Nigeria could become more severe if urgent steps are not taken to improve security and support affected communities.
The latest warning by Amnesty International comes amid growing concerns over the humanitarian impact of insecurity in the country.
Thousands of people have been displaced across several northern states in recent years, while many others remain missing after abductions by armed groups.
Kidnapping for ransom has also become a major source of fear for residents, travellers and farmers in many parts of the region.
The attacks have affected farming activities in several communities, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship for rural families.
Many farmers have abandoned their farmlands because of fear of attacks, while markets and businesses in affected communities have also suffered.
The Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians that efforts are being intensified to tackle banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across the country.
Security agencies have in recent months announced the killing of several bandit leaders and the destruction of criminal camps during military operations.
However, despite these claims, attacks on communities have continued to occur in different parts of the North.
Civil society groups have therefore continued to call for stronger intelligence gathering, better protection for rural communities and improved welfare for security personnel.
Amnesty International stressed that beyond military operations, authorities must ensure accountability and justice for victims of attacks.
The organisation noted that civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden of insecurity, especially women, children and the elderly who are often displaced during attacks.
Residents in affected areas have also repeatedly appealed to the government to increase deployment of security personnel and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced families.
Community leaders in parts of Sokoto and neighbouring states have warned that fear and uncertainty are spreading among villagers as attacks become more frequent.
The Federal Government and security agencies had yet to officially respond to Amnesty International’s latest statement as of the time of filing this report.