Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Sokoto Attack: Tinubu’s govt ‘incompetent, lacks respect for human lives’ says Amnesty International

The rights organisation decried the failure of the state and federal governments to protect lives and properties.

• July 6, 2025
Tinubu, community attacked by bandits
Tinubu, community attacked by bandits

Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has condemned the killing of 15 people in Sokoto by the Lakurawa terrorists, berating the President Bola Tinubu government’s incompetence and disregard for human lives.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the horrific killing of at least 15 people by Lakurawa insurgents during an attack on Kwalajiya village of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Dozens of people were severely injured, while an unspecified number of people are still missing,” the organisation said in a statement on Saturday.

“Eastern part of Sokoto is Nigeria’s forgotten conflict. The Nigerian authorities have displayed gross incompetence and a total disregard for people’s lives,” it added.

The rights organisation decried the failure of the state and federal governments to protect lives and properties.

“Not only has the government failed to take the steps needed to stop these attacks, but governments at both the state and federal levels have consistently failed to protect these communities that often face attacks many times.

“It appears the Nigerian government had left the people of the eastern part of Sokoto at the mercy of gunmen, as security deteriorates daily, building up a humanitarian crisis,” it stated.

On Sunday, Mr Tinubu charged the Nigerian Army to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country.

Mr Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call at the grand finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, marking the army’s 162nd anniversary.

“To the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I say this with absolute clarity: the time to rise is now. You have my full authorisation and the trust of the Nigerian people to confront and defeat those who seek to undermine our nation. You are my confidence, my support, and my prayers,” the president said.

The attack on the Kwalajiya village comes as another episode of killings across the country under Mr Tinubu’s watch.

In June, hundreds of people were killed in Yelewata in the Guma local government area of Benue State.

In May, Amnesty International reported that over 10,000 people have been killed in different attacks by Boko Haram, bandits and gunmen since Mr Tinubu assumed office as president.

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