Amnesty International Nigeria has raised the alarm over escalating bandit attacks in parts of Niger and Zamfara states, warning that hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their communities and abandon their homes and farms.
The human rights organisation, in a post on Tuesday, said the attacks had affected several communities around Rijau in Niger State and parts of Zamfara State, leaving residents fleeing for safety amid persistent insecurity.
Amnesty International said many villagers had abandoned properties and belongings they had spent their lives building, while farmers were leaving their farmlands as the harvest season approaches.
“The Nigerian authorities have displayed gross incompetence and a total disregard for people’s lives,” the organisation said, condemning the authorities’ response to the attacks.
It accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately protect rural communities in the northern region from armed groups responsible for deadly attacks over the years.
“The Nigerian authorities have left rural communities in the north at the mercy of rampaging gunmen who have killed hundreds since 2018,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation warned that continued attacks and mass displacement could push affected communities towards a major humanitarian crisis, with serious consequences for food security and residents’ livelihoods.
“The Nigerian authorities’ failure to stem the violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action many more lives may be lost,” it added.
It called for urgent action to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.