Amnesty International slams FG, accuses it of abandoning Sokoto people following repeated killings
The Amnesty International has strongly condemned the horrific killing of at least 15 people by Lakurawa insurgents during an attack on Kwalajiya village of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
Dozens of people were severely injured, while unspecified number of people are still missing.
The humanitarian entity had on its Facebook page confirmed that the gunmen invaded the village on Wednesday during afternoon prayer and opened fire on worshippers.
“Some of the victims were killed while cultivating their farms. Apart from shooting in all directions, the gunmen also razed homes and looted shops and other properties.”
The violence has forced many farmers and their families to flee their homes.
The attack has already triggered massive displacement within and around Kwalajiya and beyond.
“Families that escaped are now sheltered at Sardaunan Tangaza Model Primary School.
“People of eastern part of Sokoto state have been living under the siege of gunmen over the last two years, with almost daily attacks and destruction by gunmen. Dozens of villages have been sacked in the region, with villages receiving ultimatum to pay bandits or face gruesome attack. Eastern part of Sokoto is Nigeria’s forgotten conflict”
Amnesty International accused Nigerian authorities of displaying gross incompetence and a total disregard for people’s lives.
“Not only has the government failed to take the steps needed to stop these attacks, government at both the state and federal level have consistently failed to protect these communities that often face attacks many times. It appears Nigerian government has left the people of eastern part of Sokoto at the mercy of gunmen, as security deteriorates daily, building up a humanitarian crisis,” it added.
“Spate of these killings is an evidence of failure of authorities to protect the people. Inability of authorities to bring attackers to justice is perpetuating impunity,” it said.
Amnesty International then called on Nigerian authorities to independently investigate all these attacks and ensure accountability by bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Amnesty International slams FG, accuses it of abandoning Sokoto people following repeated killings
