Pecohub More than 10,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, according to a recent report by Amnesty International, sparking widespread concern over escalating insecurity and government inaction.
The rights group, in a comprehensive report, revealed that at least 10,217 people have died in violent incidents across multiple states, primarily driven by jihadist insurgents, armed bandit groups, and communal clashes.
“The Nigerian government has failed in its responsibility to protect its citizens. Instead, the violence has worsened under President Tinubu’s administration,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Among the worst-hit regions:
Benue State recorded a staggering 6,896 deaths. Plateau State saw over 2,630 fatalities.
Other states such as Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and parts of Edo and Kwara also suffered widespread attacks, with many villages either destroyed or still under the control of armed groups.
In Zamfara State alone:
Over 638 villages were attacked. 481 villages were completely destroyed. 529 villages remain under the control of bandits.
The report also flagged the emergence of new violent factions including groups like Lakurwa in Sokoto and Kebbi, and Mamuda in Kwara. These armed groups have created a deepening humanitarian crisis, displacing tens of thousands and pushing communities into hunger, fear, and loss.
More than 450,000 people have been displaced in Benue alone due to attacks on homes, schools, churches, clinics, and farms.
Despite President Tinubu’s early promises to tackle insecurity, Amnesty says his administration’s strategies have not only failed but have allowed the crisis to intensify.
“The current approach is clearly ineffective. Nigerians are living in fear, and impunity continues to fuel the cycle of violence,” Amnesty added.
The organization has called for an urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework, justice for victims, and an immediate end to what it describes as a “culture of impunity.”
International media outlets including France 24 and AFP have amplified Amnesty’s findings, urging the Nigerian government to prioritize civilian protection and security sector reform.
As the country marks two years under Tinubu’s leadership, the growing death toll serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive and humane action.
