Amnesty International: Over 10,000 Killed in Nigeria Since Tinubu Took Office

Over 10,217 people have reportedly been killed in violent attacks across multiple Nigerian states since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago.

This information is detailed in a new report published by Amnesty International on its official website on Thursday.

The global human rights organization described the Nigerian government’s inability to tackle insecurity as shocking.

It warned that the ongoing failure to protect citizens has resulted in widespread killings, abductions, and a humanitarian crisis in Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Edo, and Borno states.

“Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,” said Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.

“President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nation’s endemic security crisis. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu’s government are simply not working.

“In the two years since President Bola Tinubu’s government assumed power, new armed groups have emerged including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi state, and Mamuda in Kwara state, while hundreds of villages have been sacked by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara,” he added.

“The authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country.”

According to the report, Benue State witnessed the highest number of killings, with 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 deaths.

In Zamfara State, over 273 people were reportedly killed and 467 abducted, with attacks occurring almost daily.

The report revealed that 638 villages in Zamfara have been abandoned, while 725 others remain under the control of bandits across 13 local government areas.

In Katsina State, the report confirmed that over 294 people were killed and 306 abducted—many of them women and girls—between May 2023 and May 2025.

Gunmen were reported to have destroyed boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship in Benue and Plateau.

Amnesty International also reported that approximately 450,000 people in Benue and 65,000 in Plateau have been displaced, with some Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps also targeted by attackers.

The organization expressed concern about the emergence of new armed groups like Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi, and Mamuda in Kwara, in addition to coordinated killings by herders in rural communities.

“These attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood,” said Isa Sanusi.

Between May 9 and 11, gunmen attacked and displaced four villages in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The affected communities include Bafarawa, Gebe, Kamarawa, Garin Fadama, and Haruwai. Residents of these villages are now displaced and face daily struggles for food.

The report also revealed that villagers in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina states informed Amnesty International that gunmen are extorting them by demanding levies via phone calls, threatening death for non-payment by specified deadlines.

Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to back up its commitments with decisive action to end the violence, bring those responsible to justice, and provide support to victims.

“The authorities’ failure to hold suspected perpetrators accountable is fueling a cycle of impunity that is making everyone feel unsafe,” Sanusi said.

“Time is running out, as gunmen, bandits, and insurgents ramp up attacks daily. The nationwide bloodshed must end now,” he added.