Jurist Nigeria response to armed attacks against civilians sparks criticism

[Dadparvar]

Amnesty International stated on Thursday that Nigerian authorities failed to protect their population from violent attacks carried out by armed groups amid the ongoing armed conflict. The organization emphasized that the Nigerian government’s ineffective response to these attacks resulted in a rising death toll and worsened the humanitarian crisis.

Amnesty International noted that over 10,000 civilians have been killed in assaults by non-state armed groups across Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023. The rights group pointed out that inadequate security measures implemented by the authorities failed to restore security in the country, further deteriorating the living conditions for the population. Director of Amnesty International Nigeria Isa Sanusi said:

Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, conditions have only worsened as the authorities continue to fail in protecting the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, and security for tens of thousands of people across the country.

Amnesty International further highlighted that the death toll is highest in rural areas, where a lack of governance allowed armed groups to kill and abduct civilians with impunity. The rights group said that the Nigerian government’s failure to bring those responsible for violent attacks to justice reinforced a sense of impunity among the armed groups that committed atrocities, including the killing of children and families, as well as the destruction of essential services like education and healthcare. Furthermore, the number of armed groups increased during President Tinubu’s tenure, with new gangs emerging in states such as Sokoto, Kebbi, and Kwara, exacerbating Nigeria’s crisis.

In addition to the security crisis, Nigeria faces a worsening humanitarian situation characterized by a rising number of internally displaced people who fled their hometowns to escape repeated armed attacks. Amnesty International previously noted that farmers were particularly affected, as many can no longer farm after abandoning their local agricultural lands. Therefore, Sanusi urged Nigerian authorities to take serious and concrete actions to protect human rights and end the impunity of the criminal groups responsible for these atrocities.

International human rights law mandates the Nigerian government to prevent and investigate human rights violations, including those committed by non-state actors, and to provide effective remedies for victims. Nigeria is currently embroiled in a non-international armed conflict involving its military forces and Boko Haram, which has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis, all while grappling with corruption and economic hardships. The conflict was also marked by severe human rights violations, prompting Amnesty International to file a petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to request investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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