Amnesty International Nigeria has raised alarm over the escalating violence in Plateau State, blaming the inability of government authorities to end the bloodshed and bring perpetrators to justice for fueling ongoing attacks.

In a post on its social platforms on Friday, the global human rights organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to take “concrete and immediate steps to end the cycle of bloodshed.”

The organisation condemned what it described as waves of killings across Plateau without justice for the victims. It recalled the devastating Christmas Eve attacks between December 23 and 25, 2023, where over 140 people were reportedly killed in coordinated assaults on several communities.

“On 24 December 2023, while families were on the last stages of preparations for the celebration of Christmas, gunmen shattered many families with brutal and coordinated attacks on 20 communities that left over 140 people dead,” Amnesty stated.

The group highlighted specific areas hit by the attacks, including Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas. “In Mangu local government 15 people were slaughtered while in Bokkos LGA more than 100 people were buried in mass graves in December 2023,” the group added.

Amnesty said the Nigerian government’s response to the violence has been largely ineffective, with attacks continuing despite stated efforts by authorities and security agencies. 

“Patterns of recent deadly attacks on the rural areas of Plateau state, clearly show, intent of the attackers to destroy these communities. Consistent failure to protect these communities even after many attacks has left these communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen,” it noted.

“Nigerian authorities’ failure to tame the tide of this violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without concrete and immediate action, many more lives may be lost.”

The group warned that the ongoing insecurity has pushed communities to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Farmers, children, and local residents, it said, continue to live in fear of the next attack.