Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the renewed wave of bandit attacks in parts of northern Nigeria, warning that the violence is forcing residents to abandon their homes and farmlands in Niger and Zamfara states.
The human rights organisation expressed concern that the attacks were threatening lives, destroying livelihoods and disrupting agricultural activities as farmers approach the harvest season.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, Amnesty International said communities around Rijau in Niger State and several areas of Zamfara State had been affected by the violence, leaving residents with little choice but to flee their homes and abandon their possessions.
The organisation warned that the displacement of farming communities could leave many families without their expected harvests after months of hard work, worsening their economic hardship and potentially threatening food supplies.
Amnesty International also criticised the Nigerian authorities over what it described as inadequate efforts to protect rural communities from armed groups responsible for repeated attacks across the northern region.
“The Nigerian authorities have displayed gross incompetence and a total disregard for people’s lives,” the organisation said.
It further accused the authorities of leaving vulnerable communities exposed to persistent attacks by armed men, despite years of violence and insecurity in the region.
“The Nigerian authorities have left rural communities in the north at the mercy of rampaging gunmen who have killed hundreds since 2018,” it added.
The rights group said the continued violence was taking a heavy toll on families who had been forced to leave their homes, farms and other sources of livelihood.
It warned that the situation could deteriorate further if urgent measures were not taken to protect residents and prevent additional attacks.
“The Nigerian authorities’ failure to stem the violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action many more lives may be lost,” Amnesty International stated.
The organisation called on the government and relevant security agencies to take urgent steps to safeguard affected communities, prevent further killings and ensure that residents can return to their homes and farms without fear of attack.
It also stressed the need for effective protection of rural populations whose livelihoods depend heavily on farming, warning that continued displacement could deepen hardship for families already struggling with insecurity.
The latest warning highlights the persistent security challenges facing parts of northern Nigeria, where armed attacks have repeatedly disrupted daily life, displaced residents and threatened agricultural production.
Amnesty International urged the authorities to act decisively to end the violence and protect the lives, property and livelihoods of communities at risk.
