Global human rights group Amnesty International has accused the Federal Government of encouraging the impunity fueling the increasing insecurity in the country by failing to hold murderers to account.
The group said in a statement on Thursday that independently verified figures indicate that at least 1,813 persons have been murdered across 17 states this year, which is double the 894 people killed in the entire 2017. They explained that the killings are usually the result of the farmers-herders conflict and Boko Haram attacks, as well as armed banditry among others.
The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, said the authorities have a responsibility to protect lives and properties, but they are clearly not doing enough going by what is happening.
Ojigho added that the weekend incidence in Plateau State, where armed gunmen attacked 11 villages for at least seven hours and killed many villagers without intervention from security forces should be investigated. According to her, investigations conducted show worrying details of how frequently the security forces failed to protect villagers.
The Federal government and the military have yet to respond to the allegations. Authorities have rejected previous reports by Amnesty International.
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