The humanitarian crisis in Plateau State, Nigeria, has taken a grim turn following a new string of brutal attacks that left at least 40 people dead and countless families displaced in the Bokkos Local Government Area.
The latest carnage came just days after gunmen opened fire on mourners during a funeral gathering, killing 10 and further escalating fears among residents of the region. For many in these rural communities, life has become a cycle of grief and survival.
In a strongly-worded statement released Friday, Amnesty International condemned what it described as a “deeply troubling pattern” of mass killings and government indifference. The global rights watchdog painted a bleak picture of coordinated assaults, with entire villages razed to the ground and families left to pick up the pieces on their own.
“People of Ruwi, Mangor, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, and Tadai have been repeatedly attacked. They live in constant fear, always expecting the worst,” Amnesty noted.
According to the report, attackers have not only taken lives but have also torched homes, farmlands, and businesses—leaving survivors to start from scratch, often without any support.
Amnesty’s investigation revealed a staggering death toll: between December 2023 and February 2024, no fewer than 1,336 people were killed across Plateau State. The worst-hit areas include Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi, where communities have been hit repeatedly with little or no warning.
The human cost of this violence is devastating—not only in lives lost but in the erosion of community trust and the destruction of local economies.
One of the most troubling elements highlighted in Amnesty’s findings is the growing distrust in security forces. Multiple residents shared heartbreaking accounts of being abandoned during attacks, despite reaching out for help in advance.
“We’ve reported threats over and over, but no one acts. When the gunmen come, soldiers only arrive after everything’s gone—people, houses, farms,” a resident of Manguna told Amnesty, choosing to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
Amnesty didn’t hold back in its criticism of the federal government, accusing it of failing in its constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property. The organization warned that the lack of justice or meaningful response is sending a dangerous message—that attackers can kill without consequences.
“Not a single perpetrator has been held accountable,” the statement read. “This emboldens gunmen and leaves already vulnerable communities completely exposed.”
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, Amnesty International is calling for immediate, independent investigations into the Plateau State killings. The group stressed the importance of not only uncovering the truth but also ensuring justice is served.
“We urge Nigerian authorities to conduct transparent investigations and bring those responsible to justice—without delay,” Amnesty concluded.
The unfolding tragedy in Plateau State is more than just a local crisis—it’s a national emergency that demands a firm and transparent response. With hundreds dead and thousands displaced, civil society continues to urge the Nigerian government to rise to its responsibility and take decisive action before more innocent lives are lost.