Plateau Massacre: End cycle of impunity fuelling recurrent violence, UN tells Nigerian govt.

“I call on the Nigerian authorities to investigate this incident promptly, thoroughly and independently.”

Ahmed Oluwasanjo • December 28, 2023

United Nations

The United Nations has condemned the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State that claimed the lives of 195 persons and left over 34,000 displaced, charging the Nigerian government to “end cycle of impunity fuelling recurrent violence.”

UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, made this call in a statement on Thursday, calling on the Nigerian government to investigate and ensure perpetrators of Plateau killings are brought to book.

“I call on the Nigerian authorities to investigate this incident promptly, thoroughly and independently, consistent with international human rights law, and to hold those responsible to account in fair trials,” Mr Türk said

“The cycle of impunity fuelling recurrent violence must be urgently broken. The Government should also take meaningful steps to address the underlying root causes and to ensure non-recurrence of this devastating violence.”

The UN has joined the international communities in condemning recent attacks across Plateau villages as the death toll hits 195.

France and the United States of America have both condemned the Christmas Eve attacks across Plateau communities.

Peoples Gazette on Monday reported that over 112 were killed and 47 were injured as armed herdsmen in coordinated attacks on at least 12 communities spanning Barkin Ladi and Bokkos council areas on Christmas Eve.

However, the number of casualties has hit 195 as of Thursday as more bodies are recovered.

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the killings, while ordering investigation into it and directing that relief material be provided for displaced families, survivors and families of victims in the affected communities.

The massacres across villages in Plateau have elicited outrage from Nigerians who berated the government for failing in delivering on its core responsibility of protecting lives and properties of citizens.

Amnesty International, a human rights organisation, on Monday evening, condemned Christmas Eve attacks on Plateau State, berating Mr Tinubu for brazenly failing to protect communities in the state and Nigeria at large.

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