Amnesty International on Wednesday condemned the recent massacre in Plateau, lamenting that Nigerian authorities are encouraging impunity by failing to arrest mastermind of murders in the country.
It said verified estimated figures indicate that since January 2018, at least 1813 people have been murdered in 17 states, which is double the 894 people killed in 2017.
The body added that the death tolls reflect killings as a result of farmers-herders conflict, communal clashes, Boko Haram attacks and banditry.
“We are gravely concerned about the rising spate of killings across the country, especially the communal clashes between farmers and herders and attacks by bandits across at least 17 states,” said Osai Ojigho Director Amnesty International Nigeria
“The authorities have a responsibility to protect lives and properties, but they are clearly not doing enough going by what is happening” said Osai Ojigho
“The latest incidence in Plateau state, where armed gunmen attacked 11 villages on 23 June for at least seven hours and killed at least 200 villagers without intervention from security forces should be investigated.”
“That the violence in Plateau started after an attack, which was followed by reprisal attacks from Thursday 21 shows unacceptable security lapses.
“Despite the deployment of security forces, including the military in over 30 states, the escalation of these attacks shows that whatever is being done by authorities is not working.
“There is urgent need for people who are suspected of committing crimes to be held accountable.
“We hope that President Buhari’s commitment to bring those suspected to be criminally responsible for the killings in Plateau state to justice will break the impunity that has spread through the country.”
“In addition, government must answer these questions: who are these attackers, where do they come from, where do they go after attacks, who arms them, why is security forces’ response time very slow?”
Amnesty International added that it is currently investigating the rising insecurity that has resulted in the increase in killings across Nigeria.
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