Amnesty International has called for an investigation into the security lapses that enabled the attack in Bokkos and Barki-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
According to the organisation over 140 people were killed by gunmen across 20 villages in the two LGAs.
In a statement on Tuesday by the AI Country Director, Isa Sanusi noted that their investigation showed that the armed men operated for more than 48 hours moving from one village to another.
Sanuai said President Bola Tinubu must set up an independent panel to investigate the failure of security agencies to repel the attack on the villages hours after they were attacked.
The statement read, “The Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that allowed the horrific killing of over 140 people by gunmen across over 20 villages of Bokkos and parts of Barkin-Ladi local government area of Plateau state.
“Our investigation shows that the gunmen were on a rampage of killing and destruction for more than 48 hours, moving from one village to another. Apart from the Bokkos Local Government area where the attacks started and lasted hours, the gunmen also crossed into Barkin Ladi local government area and killed dozens of people in Hurum, Daruwat, Maiyanga and NTV villages.
“President Bola Tinubu must set up an impartial, independent and effective panel to investigate the apparent failure of security agencies to halt the bloodshed hours after villages that were attacked were gathering dead bodies of those killed and conveying those injured to hospitals. ”
He noted that the patterns of these attacks showed that the authorities had neglected the communities.
“Patterns of recent deadly attacks on the rural areas of Plateau state, clearly show, the Nigerian authorities have left these communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen. Nigerian authorities’ failure to tame the tide of this violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action, many more lives may be lost,” the statement added.
Sanusi noted that despite several promises by the president to curb insecurity in the country the attacks in Benue, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina showed Tinubu was paying lip services to security of lives and properties.
He said, “Although President Bola Tinubu promised to put in place new ways of addressing increasing insecurity in the country, the attacks in Plateau state and recently in some parts of Benue, Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina state show that protecting lives and property is low on the list of the government’s priorities.
“Issuing statements condemning the attacks is not enough and genuine commitment to protecting the people must be demonstrated by ensuring justice.”
