ABUJA, May 29 (AGCNewsNet) – As President Bola Tinubu marks two years in office, Amnesty International Nigeria released a report alleging that more than 10,217 people have been killed across the country due to attacks by armed groups, bandits, and terrorists since 2023. The report highlights severe insecurity mainly affecting Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.

According to Amnesty, Benue State suffered the highest death toll with 6,896 fatalities, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 deaths. The organisation also documented mass abductions, village burnings, and the rise of new armed groups such as Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi and Mamuda in Kwara State.

Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, criticized the government’s inability to improve security, urging President Tinubu to urgently address the escalating violence, including the resurgence of Boko Haram activities.

The report warns that over 500,000 people have been displaced in Benue and Plateau states, causing a humanitarian crisis as affected communities struggle with hunger and poverty.

Civil society organizations echoed the report’s concerns, with calls for President Tinubu to apologise to Nigerians instead of celebrating. Okechukwu Nwanguma of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre described Nigeria as a failed state due to unchecked violence and government inaction.

Meanwhile, some security experts urged patience, pointing out that the administration inherited longstanding security challenges and is working toward gradual solutions. Yemi Adeyemi highlighted systemic issues within security agencies that undermine effective counter-terrorism efforts.

The National Counter Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC–ONSA) dismissed the Amnesty report as inaccurate and alarmist. Coordinator Maj Gen Adamu Garba Laka questioned the validity of the figures, warning the report could damage Nigeria’s international image and embolden terrorists. He invited Amnesty International Nigeria for discussions to verify the data and bridge gaps.

“The report, in its current form, presents an overly alarming narrative which does not reflect the broader realities on the ground,” Maj Gen Laka said, emphasizing the need for accurate and objective reporting aligned with national security considerations.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property but maintained that security challenges remain complex and ongoing.

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Source: The Guardian