Pallbearers carry coffins during the funeral service for people killed during clashes between cattle herders and farmers in Ibrahim Babangida Square in the Benue state capital, Makurdi. Violence between the mainly Muslim Fulani herdsmen and Christian farmers has claimed thousands of lives across Nigeria's central states over the past few decades. © PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images
Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect citizens from relentless attacks by armed groups and bandits, revealing that at least 10,217 people have been killed across several states since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
In a new report released on Monday, the global human rights organisation warned that the worsening violence has displaced thousands of families, destroyed communities and created what it described as a looming humanitarian crisis, particularly across northern Nigeria.
According to Amnesty International, Benue State recorded the highest number of deaths with 6,896 people killed, followed by Plateau State with at least 2,630 fatalities. The report also documented deadly attacks in Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Commenting on the findings, Amnesty International Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, said the security situation has deteriorated despite earlier promises by the federal government.
“Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country.”
Sanusi added: “President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nation’s endemic security crisis. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu’s government are simply not working.”
New Armed Groups, Expanding Violence
The report stated that new armed groups have emerged in different parts of the country since May 2023, including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states and Mamuda in Kwara State.
Amnesty said hundreds of communities have also been overrun by armed groups in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Its investigation found that 294 people were killed in Katsina State between May 2023 and May 2025, while 306 others, mostly women and girls, were abducted during the same period.
In Zamfara, Amnesty described the attacks as almost daily occurrences, saying 273 people were killed and 467 abducted over the last two years. It further revealed that 638 villages have been abandoned due to persistent attacks, while 725 communities are reportedly under the control of bandits across 13 local government areas.
The report also highlighted the April 24, 2025 attack on a mining site at Gobirawar Chali in Maru Local Government Area, where more than 20 miners lost their lives.
In neighbouring Kebbi State, Amnesty said the emergence of Lakurawa has intensified insecurity, with at least 70 people killed in 22 separate attacks.
Benue and Plateau Suffer Heavy Casualties
Amnesty described the violence in Benue and Plateau as particularly devastating.
It recalled the April 3 attack on Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, where children and entire families were among those killed.
In Benue, the organisation alleged that attackers not only killed residents but also destroyed public infrastructure, including boreholes, schools, clinics, places of worship and food storage facilities.
The report said all 23 local government areas in Benue State have experienced attacks, with Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Gwer West, Gwer East, Apa and Agatu among the worst affected.
More than 200 communities have reportedly been deserted, while 450,000 people have been displaced across the state.
Plateau State has also witnessed widespread violence, with Amnesty documenting 38 attacks by armed herders and assaults on 167 rural communities across Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos East, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom and Wase local government areas.
The attacks have displaced about 65,000 people, with some communities forced to flee multiple times after displacement camps also came under attack.
Warning Over Humanitarian Crisis
Amnesty International warned that the continued displacement of farming communities is creating a severe humanitarian emergency, as many victims can no longer cultivate their land or earn a living.
According to the organisation, displaced residents in Plateau and Katsina states told investigators they now rely on begging to survive.
In Zamfara’s Dangulbi district, farmers reportedly watched their sweet potato harvest spoil because bandits prevented them from transporting produce to nearby markets.
Sanusi said: “These attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood.”
The report further stated that between May 9 and 11, armed men attacked communities in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, displacing residents of Bafarawa, Gebe, Kamarawa, Garin Fadama and Haruwai villages.
Amnesty also alleged that armed groups regularly demand levies from residents in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina through phone calls, threatening death for anyone who fails to pay.
One resident of Maru Local Government Area in Zamfara told Amnesty International that: “The only relationship between us and the government is that they issue media statements after we are attacked and killed. That is all they do. When the next attack comes, they will issue another empty statement, while bandits escalate their atrocities. We are helpless.”»
Call for Immediate Action
Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to meet their obligations under international human rights law by protecting lives, prosecuting perpetrators and ensuring justice for victims.
Sanusi stressed that government assurances must be matched with practical action.
“Authorities must move swiftly to match their words with serious and concrete action to guarantee the human rights of everyone in Nigeria if they are to be taken seriously on their oft-expressed commitment to stop the killings, violence, abductions and other human rights crimes in several parts of the country.”
He concluded with a warning: “The authorities’ failure to hold suspected perpetrators accountable is fueling a cycle of impunity that is making everyone feel unsafe. Time is running out, as gunmen, bandits and insurgents are ramping up attacks daily. The nationwide bloodshed must end now.”
Amnesty International said it has monitored bandit attacks and herder-farmer violence in Nigeria since 2016 and has consistently raised concerns over what it describes as the government’s failure to adequately protect vulnerable rural communities.
