1,336 killed, 29,554 displaced in Plateau between Dec 2023 and Feb 2024 -Amnesty international

The Amnesty international Nigeria has described the Nigerian government as incapable, incompetent enough to investigate the incessant killings in Plateau State.

Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi disclosed this on Thursday in Jos while presenting finding of their research on the recent deadly attacks on the Plateau held at Eliel Center Rayfield, Jos.

Sanusi said summary of their findings in three local government areas of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu of the state shows that a total of 1,336 persons were killed, while 29,554 persons displaced.

“From December 2023 to February 2024, 1,336 People were killed, 533 women killed, 263 children killed and 540 men killed, while a total number of people displaced is 29,554 out of which 13,093 are children and 16,461 women.”

Amnesty international however in their findings accused government of not putting priority in protecting the lives of its citizens.

“While President Ahmed Bola Tinubu  promised to implement new measures to address riding insecurity in the country, the attacks in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria highlight that safeguarding lives and property are not in the top priorities of Nigerian government.

“And we say it again and again, protecting people is not the priority of Nigerian government. But we are saying it again and we will continue to say it until people are saved, until people are protected from these attacks.

“Government officials always issue statements condemning the attacks and that is not enough at all because genuine commitment has to be put in place. Because human life is not something that you take and bring back, when people are killed, they are killed.

The Country Director however recommended that government must investigate these incidents impartially and ensure Justice for the victims and survivors and their families.