Death Toll & Humanitarian Crisis: Latest Updates
- Amnesty International reports that at least 10,217 people have died in Nigeria in the two years as the current government took power, highlighting a failure to protect citizens...
- Benue state has suffered the moast casualties, with 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed.the attacks occurred in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto,...
- Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International nigeria, stated that the security situation has worsened despite President bola Tinubu's promise to enhance security upon assuming office two years ago....
nigeria faces a deepening security crisis: Amnesty International reports over 10,000 deaths in the last two years, revealing a critical failure to protect citizens. The escalating violence sparks a potential humanitarian crisis, predominantly affecting northern states like Benue and Plateau. Hundreds of villages have been ravaged by bandits, exacerbating the humanitarian impact and worsening the already dire situation within Benue, Zamfara and othre states. News Directory 3 investigates the government’s response to the growing death toll and reports on the displacement of thousands. Discover what’s next for the impacted communities.
Thousands Killed in Nigeria Amid Worsening Security Crisis
Updated May 29, 2025
Amnesty International reports that at least 10,217 people have died in Nigeria in the two years as the current government took power, highlighting a failure to protect citizens from armed groups and bandits. The escalating violence has created a potential humanitarian crisis across several northern states, the institution said.
Benue state has suffered the moast casualties, with 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed.the attacks occurred in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International nigeria, stated that the security situation has worsened despite President bola Tinubu’s promise to enhance security upon assuming office two years ago. Sanusi emphasized the government’s failure to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, and security of its citizens.
the rise of new armed groups, such as Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and Mamuda in Kwara state, has further destabilized the region. Hundreds of villages have been sacked in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau, and Zamfara states.
In zamfara state, bandits have sacked 638 villages, and 725 villages across 13 local governments are under their control.Maru local government area experienced a notably deadly attack on a mining site in Gobirawar Chali on April 24, 2025, where over 20 miners were killed.
The attacks in Benue and plateau states have been especially brutal, with gunmen destroying boreholes, clinics, and schools. grain reserves and places of worship have also been targeted, according to amnesty International.
These attacks have displaced 450,000 people internally. In Plateau state, 65,000 people have been displaced due to attacks on 167 rural communities in various local government areas.
The nationwide bloodshed must end now.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria
Many residents report that gunmen impose levies on them via phone calls, threatening death if payments are not made. A resident of Maru local government in zamfara state told Amnesty International that the government’s onyl response is issuing media statements after attacks.
What’s next
Amnesty International urges Nigerian authorities to take concrete action to protect human rights, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide victims with access to justice and effective remedies. The organization stresses that failure to do so fuels a cycle of impunity, making everyone feel unsafe.