Amnesty International has revealed that Nigerian authorities’ failure to live up to their obligation to protect the right to life has ensured that the country experienced a month of bloody attacks on both farmers and herders, in parts of Kaduna and Plateau states.
According to the international rights group, no fewer 112 people were killed, 160 abducted and thousands were displaced in communities in Kaduna and Plateau states from July to August 5, 2021.
‘Our findings show that despite clear signs that there will be retaliatory attacks, enough is not being done to prevent the bloodshed, thereby fueling the ongoing circle of violence. Beyond issuing statements and condemning attacks after they happen; government needs to rein in on attackers and bring suspects to justice,’ said Osai Ojigho Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
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Africa Today News, New York reports that amnesty International’s investigation shows at least 78 people were killed and 160 abducted by bandits between July 3 and August 5, 2021, in Kaduna State including 121 schoolchildren of Bethel Baptist Church High School.
At least 34 people have been killed in Plateau State, including 7 herders who were attacked on July 1 at Dogon Gaba, 2 others were lynched at Fusa Village while trying to locate their missing cow.
Villagers from farming communities, informed Amnesty International that, innocent people and communities that know nothing about the attacks are sometimes targeted for reprisal.
A retaliatory attack on July 31 and August 1, 2021, led to the killing of at least 17 people, and the displacement of hundreds in farming communities in Bassa and Riyom LGAs, Plateau state.
A 39-year-old farmer informed Amnesty international that: ‘We have been hearing gunshots in our village since Monday after the attack. We don’t know why we were attacked, I had to relocate to the IDP camp with my family.’
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK