Amnesty International Releases Alarming Security Report, Says Over 10,000 People Killed, Berates Unchecked Violent Attacks in Nigeria

By: Israel Adeleke, Olufemi Orunsola 

Amnesty International, a global human rights watchdog has called on the Nigerian government to urgently implement effective security measures to combat what it described as "gross failure to protect its citizens."

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the global watchdog in the new report, claims that no fewer than 10,217 people have been killed while 672 villages were razed by armed groups and bandits within the last two years under the Tinubu-led administration.

The global human rights watchdog said Benue and Plateau States suffered the highest death tolls, recording 6,896 and 2,630 fatalities respectively, listing other affected states as Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Edo, and Zamfara.

According to the report, “A new investigation shows that in the two years since the current government came to power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states."

The report detailed a harrowing pattern of unchecked violence, with communities in rural areas subjected to constant attacks due to what Amnesty described as a “total absence of governance.”

“In Zamfara State alone, attacks occur daily—sometimes multiple times in a single day. Over the past two years, at least 273 people have been killed and 467 abducted. A staggering 529 villages are now under the control of bandits across 13 local government areas,” the organisation revealed.

Amnesty also documented the sacking of 481 villages in Zamfara and noted that Plateau State suffered at least 38 deadly attacks by armed herders, resulting in the destruction of 43 villages in four local government areas between March 27 and April 2, 2025.

In Katsina State, 294 people were confirmed killed and 306, mostly women and girls, were abducted during the same period. Amnesty described the situation as a growing humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands of displaced farmers unable to cultivate or sell their crops due to insecurity.

“In Dangulbi district of Zamfara, farmers are forced to watch their sweet potato harvest rot because bandits have blocked access to markets,” the report said.

The organisation warned that continued displacement of rural communities could worsen food insecurity across the country.

Speaking on the report on Thursday, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, condemned the government’s failure to fulfil its security promises.

In his words,“Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a pledge to improve security. Instead, the situation has deteriorated dramatically."

“The authorities continue to fail in their duty to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, and security of tens of thousands of Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Defence Media Operations, has not made any official response on these claims as at press time.