Ebun Francis|
Amnesty International on Thursday accused the Nigerian Government of encouraging the impunity fueling the increasing insecurity in the country by failing to hold murderers to account.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the human right watch group said that independently verified figures indicate that at least 1,813 persons have been murdered across 17 states.
Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria in the statement noted that the killings are usually the result of the farmers-herders conflict and Boko Haram attacks, as well as armed banditry among others.
She said, “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.”
“The authorities have a responsibility to protect lives and properties, but they are clearly not doing enough going by what is happening.
“The latest incidence in Plateau State, where armed gunmen attacked 11 villages on June 23 for at least seven hours and killed at least 200 villagers without intervention from security forces should be investigated.”
Ojigho also blamed the violence in Plateau, which began after an attack said to be followed by a reprisal from Thursday last week, on unacceptable security lapses and stressed the urgent need for people who are suspected of committing crimes across the country to be held accountable.
She said, “We hope that President Buhari’s commitment to bringing 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 arm them, why is security forces’ response time very slow?”
The country director noted that investigations so far conducted by the group show worrying details of how frequently the security forces failed to protect villagers.
