With the incessant attacks in various communities of Plateau State, Amnesty International has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the killings by yet-to-be-identified armed men.
Condemning the killings of residents of Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of the State within the space of two weeks, the global rights organisation said the Nigerian government has remained nonchalant in taking action against the killers.
Reacting to the most recent attack on Zikke village in Bassa LGA by the gunmen, AI said the killings are a gory reflection of the deepening security crisis in Nigeria.
Recall that some gunmen had invaded the Zikke community in the early hours of Monday, April 14, killing about 50 people while setting houses in the village ablaze.
While women, children and even the elderly population were not spared, survivors of the attack were said to have found charred remains of their loved ones soaked in their blood after the gunmen left.
AI describing the attack in a statement as a horrific and senseless massacre said, the Nigerian government must act beyond just issuing statements.
“The government must move beyond issuing bland statements and show genuine commitment to protecting lives.
“The inexcusable security lapses that enabled this deadly attack — just two weeks after 52 people were similarly killed — must be urgently investigated,” AI said on Monday.
Citing previous attacks and killings in the state the international organisation said these acts of violence are not random but patterned.
“They reflect a complete failure by the Nigerian authorities to protect rural communities.
“These villagers have effectively been abandoned to the mercy of gunmen.”
President Bola Tinubu has insisted that his administration is rolling out “new security strategies” to combat terrorism and criminal violence,” it said.
It also stated that it has become obvious that whatever new measures the government of the day is claiming to roll out to improve security in the country, appear not to be working.
It further called for independent investigations into the attacks to point out the perpetrators of the acts.
In addition, AI urged the Nigerian government to reinforce its protection plans for vulnerable communities and those affected so far to get the needle support.
