Over 10,000 Killed, 672 Villages Destroyed by Bandits in Two Years – Amnesty International
Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its citizens from escalating violence, revealing that no fewer than 10,217 people have been killed and 672 villages destroyed by armed groups within the last two years.
In its latest report released on Wednesday, the human rights organisation disclosed that Benue State alone recorded 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau with 2,630 fatalities.
The report highlighted other badly hit states including Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Edo.
“A new investigation shows that, in the two years since the current government has been in power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states. Benue State accounts for the highest death toll of 6,896, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed.
“Since 29 May 2023, hundreds of people have been killed in rural areas where, our research since 2020 shows, a total absence of governance has given gunmen and criminal groups a free hand to commit atrocities.
“Our investigation verified the killing of over 294 people in Katsina state and documented the abduction of 306 people, mostly women and girls, between May 2023 and May 2025.”
In Zamfara, the organisation said over 529 villages are now under the control of bandits.
“In Zamfara State, attacks have occurred daily, with multiple attacks sometimes taking place in a single day. In the last two years, over 273 people have been killed and 467 people abducted. Since the beginning of the bloody security crisis, bandits have sacked 481 villages across while 529 villages are under the control of bandits, across 13 local governments of Zamfara state,” it stated.
“In Plateau State, armed herders carried out 38 attacks. Bandits have sacked at least 43 villages in four local government areas. Between 27 March and 2 April 2025.”
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, lamented the rise in insecurity since President Bola Tinubu took office.
He said, “Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse. 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.”
The report further warned of an impending humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing insecurity.
“The majority, if not all of those affected by these attacks, are farmers, whose displacement means they can no longer cultivate their farms. This is causing a looming humanitarian crisis.
“The majority of those displaced in Plateau and Katsina states told Amnesty International that they had to resort to begging to survive daily life. At Dangulbi district of Zamfara state, farmers have to watch their harvest of sweet potatoes rot because bandits have prevented them from transporting them to the nearest market,” the report stated.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
