Amnesty International has revealed that more than 10,217 people have been killed in violent attacks across several Nigerian states since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago.
Amnesty released its report on Thursday.
The international human rights group described the Nigerian authorities’ inability to address insecurity as shocking.
The group warned that the failure to protect citizens has led to mass killings, abductions, and a humanitarian crisis across Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Edo, and Borno states.
“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,” said Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
“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.
“In the two years since President Bola Tinubu’s government assumed power, new armed groups have emerged including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi state, and Mamuda in Kwara state, while hundreds of villages have been sacked by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara,” he added.
“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.”
According to the report, Benue State recorded the highest number of killings with 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 deaths.
In Zamfara State alone, over 273 people were killed and 467 abducted, with attacks occurring almost daily.
The group further revealed that 638 villages have been sacked, and 725 others remain under the control of bandits across 13 local government areas of Zamfara.
In Katsina State, the report verified the killing of over 294 people and the abduction of 306, mostly women and girls, between May 2023 and May 2025.
In Benue and Plateau, the group highlighted the destruction of boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship by gunmen.
They also confirmed that 450,000 people in Benue and 65,000 in Plateau have become internally displaced, with some IDP camps also targeted by attackers.
Amnesty also expressed concern about the rise of new armed groups such as Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi, and Mamuda in Kwara, alongside coordinated killings by herders in rural communities.
“These attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood,” said Isa Sanusi.
Between 9 and 11 May, gunmen sacked four villages of Isa local government area of Sokoto state. The affected communities are: Bafarawa, Gebe, Kamarawa, Garin Fadama and Haruwai. People of these villages are now displaced and struggle to feed daily.
The report further revealed that the residents of villages in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states told Amnesty International that gunmen also impose levies on them via phone calls, with the warning that failure to pay by a given deadline will be punished with death.
The group called on the Nigerian government to match their words with serious and concrete action to end the violence, bring perpetrators to justice, and provide relief to victims.
“The authorities’ failure to hold suspected perpetrators accountable is fueling a cycle of impunity that is making everyone feel unsafe,” Sanusi said.
“Time is running out, as gunmen, bandits, and insurgents ramp up attacks daily. The nationwide bloodshed must end now,” he added.
