Amnesty International has said that at least 10,217 people were killed in attacks by gunmen across seven Nigerian states during the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The international human rights organisation said the killings occurred in Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states, with Benue recording the highest number of deaths.
Amnesty disclosed this in a statement shared on Facebook on Monday, in which it raised fresh concerns about the worsening security situation in parts of Nigeria.
The organisation accused the Nigerian authorities of failing to adequately protect citizens from attacks and warned that the continued violence was creating the conditions for a serious humanitarian crisis.
“It is now over three years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,” Amnesty said.
According to the organisation, Plateau State recorded 2,630 deaths during the period under review, making it the second worst affected state among those covered by its assessment.
The group did not give the specific death figures for the other states in the statement but said thousands of people had lost their lives in repeated attacks by armed groups.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the emergence of new armed groups in parts of the country during the period.
It identified Lakurawa, which operates in parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states, and Mamuda in Kwara State among the new armed groups it said had emerged.
The organisation further said hundreds of villages had been attacked or occupied by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara states.
The attacks have had serious consequences for rural communities, particularly farmers whose livelihoods depend on access to their farms and local markets.
Amnesty said the continuing insecurity was making it difficult for many people to work, farm and earn a living.
The organisation cited Dangulbi district in Zamfara State as an example of the impact of banditry on agricultural activities.
According to the group, farmers in the area have been unable to transport their produce to nearby markets because of attacks by bandits.
“Farmers have to watch their harvest of sweet potatoes rot because bandits have prevented them from transporting them to the nearest market,” Amnesty said.
The development is significant for Nigeria because farming remains the main source of income for millions of people, particularly in rural communities.
When farmers are unable to reach their farms or transport harvested crops to markets, household incomes are affected and food supplies can also be reduced. Insecurity in farming communities has therefore remained a major concern as the country continues to battle rising food prices and economic hardship.
Amnesty also raised concerns about the condition of people displaced by the violence.
The organisation said many residents forced to leave their communities in Plateau and Katsina states were struggling to survive and had resorted to begging.
“The majority of those displaced in Plateau and Katsina States told Amnesty International that they had to resort to begging to survive daily life,” the group said.
Thousands of Nigerians have been displaced by attacks from terrorists, bandits, armed herders and other criminal groups in different parts of the country.
Displaced families often lose access to their homes, farms, businesses and other sources of income. Many end up in temporary settlements where they depend on government agencies, humanitarian organisations and individuals for food, shelter and other basic needs.
The security crisis has also affected schools and health services in some communities, while residents have repeatedly called on security agencies to increase their presence in vulnerable areas.
Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi are among states that have experienced repeated attacks, particularly in rural communities.
In Benue, clashes involving armed groups and suspected herders have continued to cause deaths and displacement in several communities. Plateau has also witnessed deadly attacks in rural areas, while Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi have faced persistent bandit attacks and kidnappings.
The Federal Government and security agencies have continued to announce military operations aimed at destroying criminal groups and rescuing kidnapped victims.
However, Amnesty said the scale of the violence showed that more needed to be done to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable.
The organisation stressed that the government has a duty under international human rights law to protect the lives and safety of citizens.
It said authorities must also ensure that people suspected of carrying out killings are investigated and prosecuted, while victims should have access to justice and effective remedies.
“Again and again, the Nigerian authorities are failing to live up to these obligations,” Amnesty stated.
The group’s latest assessment comes amid wider concerns about the security situation across Nigeria, where attacks by armed groups have remained a major national challenge.
President Tinubu came into office in May 2023 after campaigning on a promise to tackle insecurity and improve the safety of Nigerians. His administration has since increased military operations and made security one of its major priorities.
The government has also continued to invest in security equipment and increase cooperation among the military, police and other security agencies.
Despite these efforts, attacks, kidnappings and communal violence have continued in several parts of the country.
The latest Amnesty report is therefore likely to renew calls for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities, particularly those in rural areas.
Beyond military operations, security experts and civil society organisations have repeatedly called for better intelligence gathering, improved policing, stronger border controls and measures to address the economic and social conditions that allow criminal groups to operate.
Amnesty also stressed the need for justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
For communities affected by the violence, the challenge goes beyond the loss of lives. Many families have lost homes, farms and sources of income, while children have been forced out of school and communities disrupted.
The rights group warned that unless the attacks are brought under control and displaced people receive adequate support, the crisis could become more difficult to manage.
It called on the Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to protect citizens, prevent further attacks, investigate killings and ensure that victims receive justice and support.
The organisation said the protection of lives and basic human rights must remain a central responsibility of government as the country continues its fight against insecurity.