Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the killing of at least 15 people by suspected Lakurawa insurgents in Kwalajiya village, located in the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, has left dozens injured and an unspecified number of residents missing.
In a statement released on its official Facebook page on Friday, the Non-governmental organization confirmed that the attackers, identified as Lakurawa insurgents, invaded the village during afternoon prayers and opened fire on worshippers.
“Some of the victims were killed while cultivating their farms. Apart from shooting in all directions, the gunmen also razed homes, looted shops, and destroyed properties,” the organization reported.
Naijaonpoint reports that the violence attacks have forced numerous families to flee their homes, contributing to significant displacement both within Kwalajiya and the surrounding regions.
Many of the affected residents have sought refuge in makeshift shelters. According to reports, displaced families are currently sheltering at the Sardaunan Tangaza Model Primary School.
Amnesty International noted that the people of Eastern Sokoto have lived under constant threat from gunmen over the past two years, with daily attacks on villages, resulting in the destruction of homes and livelihoods. The militants have allegedly given villagers an ultimatum to pay a ransom or face brutal attacks.
“Eastern Sokoto is Nigeria’s forgotten conflict,” the rights group lamented.
Amnesty International has criticized the Nigerian authorities for what it described as gross incompetence and a complete disregard for the safety of citizens in the region.
“Not only has the government failed to take the steps needed to stop these attacks, but both state and federal authorities have consistently failed to protect these communities. The people of eastern Sokoto have been left at the mercy of gunmen as security deteriorates,” the organization stated.
The rights group further accused the Nigerian government of failing to bring the attackers to justice, perpetuating a culture of impunity.
“The spate of these killings is evidence of the failure of authorities to protect the people. The inability of authorities to hold attackers accountable is perpetuating impunity,” Amnesty said.
Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the attacks and urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
“We demand that Nigerian authorities investigate these attacks thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” the organization concluded.
The tragic incident has heightened concerns about the ongoing security crisis in Sokoto State, where banditry and insurgency continue to wreak havoc on innocent civilians. The call for swift action and accountability remains louder than ever.