Revealed: In 2018 Alone, 1,814 Nigerians Have Been Killed - More Than Double The Entire 2017 Figure

The number of Nigerians who have been murdered by Fulani herdsmen and other hoodlums so far in 2018, has exceeded those killed in 2017.

Scene of a mass burial after mass killings in Nigeria

 

Amnesty International, a human rights group, says 1,814 people have been killed across 17 states since the beginning of 2018 — a figure that is already more than double the 894 that was recorded in the whole of 2017.

 

In a statement signed by Osai Ojigho, the Director of its Nigeria office, AI said on Wednesday that the deaths were usually as a result of farmers-herders conflicts, Boko Haram attacks and armed banditry.

 

The group also said the failure of the government to hold people accountable contributed to the increased death toll in the country.

 

“We are gravely concerned about the rising spate of killings across the country, especially the communal clashes between farmers and herders and attacks by bandits across at least 17 states," Ojigho said.

 

“The authorities have a responsibility to protect lives and properties, but they are clearly not doing enough — going by what is happening.

“The latest incidents in Plateau State, where armed gunmen attacked 11 villages on June 23 for at least seven hours and killed at least 200 villagers without intervention from security forces, should be investigated.”

 

Speaking on the recent killings in Plateau State, AI condemned the act and faulted the security measures of the government.

 

She urged the government to arrest and prosecute anyone found culpable in the brutal attack that claimed over 200 lives in the state. 

 

Ojigho said: “We hope that President Buhari’s commitment to bringing those suspected to be criminally responsible for the killings in Plateau State to justice will break the impunity that has spread through the country.

“In addition, government must answer these questions: who are these attackers, where do they come from, where do they go after attacks, who arms them, why is security forces’ response time very slow?

“Making arrests and bringing to justice those suspected to be responsible for these attacks is crucial in ending the killings that are gradually turning into almost a daily occurrence. In many instances, these killings happen and no arrests take place.”