Report: More than 10,000 people have lost their lives over the past two years in northern and central Nigeria due to escalating violence by jihadist militants and armed criminal gangs, according to a new report released by Amnesty International on Thursday.
The human rights organization criticized President Bola Tinubu's administration for failing to provide adequate security in regions plagued by attacks from jihadist fighters and so-called “bandits,” who frequently raid villages, causing widespread killings and kidnappings.
The report also highlights the ongoing conflict in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where violent clashes between farmers and herders—often influenced by ethnic and religious divisions—have led to further bloodshed.
Amnesty’s findings reveal that since President Tinubu assumed office, at least 10,217 people have died as a result of armed violence. Benue State recorded the highest number of deaths with 6,896 casualties, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 fatalities. The report focused on seven states but notably did not include Borno, the epicenter of a long-running jihadist insurgency in the northeast.
Upon taking office, Tinubu pledged to make national security a top priority. However, Amnesty’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, said the situation has deteriorated, accusing the government of failing to uphold basic rights and protect communities.
“The worsening violence and the rise in deadly attacks by Boko Haram and other groups demonstrate the ineffectiveness of current security policies,” Sanusi said.
The violence has also displaced hundreds of thousands in Benue and Plateau states, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
President Tinubu, in recent remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to fighting insecurity, stating that security forces had received new directives to tackle criminal activity head-on. However, his administration continues to face growing challenges, including unrest linked to separatist movements in southeastern Nigeria.
