Insecurity is escalating in Zamfara State, with daily killings and kidnappings by armed bandits leaving villagers in constant fear of attack, Amnesty International said, yesterday.

File: Amnesty International

“The authorities’ failure to act has left villagers in Zamfara at the mercy of armed bandits, who have killed hundreds of people over the course of two bloody years,” said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International, Nigeria.

He added: “When we visited the region, villagers told us that they had pleaded with the government to help them after receiving warning letters from the bandits ahead of attacks, but had received no protection.

“Nigerian authorities have repeatedly claimed to be tackling the situation, but the mounting death toll tells a different story.

“On Friday, July 27, 18 villages in the Mashema, Kwashabawa and Birane districts of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State were attacked, leaving at least 42 people dead.

“At least 18,000 residents of the affected villages, who were displaced over the weekend are now taking refuge at various locations in the local government headquarters.

“The following day, a further 15 people were kidnapped in Maradun Local Government Area.

“On Saturday, July 28, President Muhammadu Buhari announced the deployment of 1,000 troops to Zamfara.

“This is the third time since November 2017 that the authorities have deployed the military in response to attacks, but villagers told Amnesty International that this has not translated into protection for remote, vulnerable communities.

“Previous military interventions have failed to end the killings, especially in rural areas of Zamfara.

“At least 371 people have been killed in Zamfara in 2018 alone, and at least 238 of these killings took place after the deployment of the Nigerian Air Force.

“The government is still neglecting the most vulnerable communities in this region,” Ojigho added.