Amnesty International has condemned the latest gunmen attack in Zike and Kimakpa communities in the Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau, where no fewer than 51 persons were killed.

In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International said President Bola Tinubu’s government must be more committed to protecting lives and properties instead of issuing “bland” statements.

“Issuing bland statements condemning these horrific attacks is not enough, and genuine commitment to protecting the people must be demonstrated by ensuring justice,” the rights group said. 

Suspected gunmen struck the communities at about 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, setting homes and properties ablaze before killing the settlers. 

The fresh killing comes a few days after 52 people were killedand properties were destroyed in Hurti, Ruwi, Daffo, Josh, Bangor, and Manguna communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.

Amnesty International said the security lapses that enabled the horrific attacks must be investigated. 

“The inexcusable security lapses that enabled these horrific attacks, two weeks after the killing of 52 people, must be investigated,” it said. 

The global human rights group, which slammed Mr Tinubu’s government over the continued attacks in the North-Central region, said the current administration must ensure justice for the victims.

Amnesty International further noted that while Mr Tinubu claims his government was implementing new security measures to address the rising insecurity in the country, the recent attacks in Plateau have demonstrated that whatever security measures are being put in place are not working.

“In Plateau state, from December 2023 to February 2024, 1,336 people were killed,” it said. “Of those killed, 533 were women killed, 263 children killed, and 540 men killed. Over 29,554 people were displaced, of which 13,093 were children, and 16,461 women were displaced.” 

According to the group, the patterns of recent deadly attacks on the rural areas of the state showed the Nigerian authorities have left the communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen. 

Plateau has been embroiled in crisis, especially with a long-running conflict involving herders and farmers clashes, communal crisis, banditry, and kidnapping. 

The security challenges have also displaced thousands of people and residents, including children, women, and the aged, who are largely local farmers.