By Chioma Iruke
At least 112 people were killed, 160 others abducted and thousands displaced in communities in Kaduna and Plateau states from July to August 5, 2021, Amnesty International has said.
Amnesty International’s report states that at least 78 people were killed and 160 abducted by bandits between July 3 and August 5, 2021 in Kaduna state, including 121 school children of Bethel Baptist Church High School.
At least 34 people have been killed in Plateau state, including seven herders who were attacked on July 1 at Dogon Gaba, two others were lynched at Fusa Village while trying to locate their missing cow.
“Our findings show that despite clear signs that there will be retaliatory attacks, enough is not being done to prevent the bloodshed, thereby fueling the ongoing circle of violence. Beyond issuing statements and condemning attacks after they happen; government needs to rein in on attackers and bring suspects to justice,” said Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
Villagers from farming communities, informed Amnesty International that innocent people and communities that knew nothing about the attacks were sometimes targeted for reprisal.
She said a retaliatory attack on July 31 and August 1, 2021, led to the killing of at least 17 people, and the displacement of hundreds in farming communities in Bassa and Riyom LGAs, Plateau State.
She added that a 39-year-old farmer informed Amnesty International that they had been hearing gunshots in their village since Monday after the attack.
