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In 8 Month, Over 1 thousand Nigerians were Killed by Gunmen-Amnesty International

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6 years ago

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Amnesty International’s Nigeria office has described as shameful how the country’s security agencies have been handling repeated attacks by gunmen in villages across the northern region.

 

After speaking with residents of communities in seven northwest and north-central states, the human rights group shared its findings in a statement obtained by an online Newspaper HumAngle on Monday.

 

It observed that, between January and August, 1,126 civilians in the north were killed by rampaging gunmen, out of which 366 were from the south of Kaduna.

“Many of those interviewed described how security forces often arrive hours after attacks have ended, even when officers have been given information about impending attacks,” it said.

 

 

The group said it has also documented an upsetting increase in abductions in the region, with at least 380 people, mostly women and children, kidnapped this year.

Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that the failure of the security forces to take adequate steps in protecting villagers “from these predictable attacks is utterly shameful”.

 

“In addition to the security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed.

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“The President claims he has repeatedly tasked security agencies to end the killing so that Nigerians can go to bed with their eyes closed, but clearly nothing has changed,” he added.

 

Witnesses in Kaduna, Plateau, and Kaduna states told Amnesty International that the attacks in their communities were well-coordinated and the invaders, who rode on motorcycles, were heavily armed. They also complained that they received little or no help from security forces even though they might have been pre-informed or called during attacks.

 

One resident of Unguwan Magaji, a community in southern Kaduna, said soldiers who came during an attack got intimidated after seeing the invaders’ firepower.

“Our leaders called and informed the soldiers that the attackers are in the village, so the soldiers did not waste time and they came but when they came and saw the type of ammunitions the attackers had they left. The following morning so many soldiers came with their Hilux pick-up trucks to see the dead bodies,” he reported.

Amnesty International’s release quoted the lamentation of a farmer in Kaduna whose 20-year-old son was killed in Kukum Daji.

 

 

“He had just gotten admission to the University of Jos. He was at home due to the Corona pandemic, then the attack happened,” he said.

Zamfara Banditry: Dialogue remains the best option- Government

“When I saw his dead body, my body became very weak, I started feeling dizzy, I thought I was going to fall, my whole body was on fire but there was nothing I could do, I just told myself that am leaving everything to God. I will never be happy again in this life for losing this boy. His death has really affected me.”

 

Ojigho observed that the series of attacks have led to massive food insecurity and the displacement of civilians. “The majority of the people in these communities depend on farming for their livelihoods, but they are now too afraid to go to their fields,” he said.

 

“This is pushing the region to the brink of a major humanitarian crisis. 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.”

 

He urged government agencies against arresting critics who dared demanded adequate security. Instead, he added, the authorities “should be seeking urgent solutions to this crisis and doing all they can to prevent further attacks”.

 

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Shettima Leads FG Delegation to Ethiopia on Nutrition Mission

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7 hours ago

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October 7, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Vice President, Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to lead a nutrition-focused peer exchange mission.

Shettima is attending the inaugural Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Visit at the invitation of Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh.

According to a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the visit will enable both nations to share strategies on establishing a combined federal, state, and local compact for effective nutrition delivery.

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According to the statement, during the visit, the Nigerian delegation will study Ethiopia’s government-led, multi-sectoral approach to food security and tour several key sites, including: A wheat farm and banana plantation in Oromia, The ‘Bounty of the Basket’ Training Centre and community household initiatives in Mojo, and Jabdu Motors in Bishoftu.”

“The Vice President’s entourage includes Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; and Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar Abubakar,” it added.

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JUST IN: Military, DSS , Police Rescue 20 Kidnapped NYSC Members, Civilian in Imo

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8 hours ago

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October 7, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members and a civilian abducted while travelling through Imo State have been rescued in a joint operation by security agencies.

The victims were rescued by operatives of the military, Department of State Services and police following an intelligence-led search operation launched after the abduction.

The development was confirmed by security sources, who said the victims were receiving medical attention at a DSS facility.

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The prospective corps members were reportedly abducted while travelling through the state, prompting security agencies to mobilise for their rescue.

The coordinated operation involved the military, DSS, police and other security agencies.

The sources said the operation was intelligence-driven, leading security operatives to the location where the victims were held.

The rescue comes amid persistent concerns over the safety of travellers and NYSC members in parts of the country.

Authorities have commenced investigations into the abduction and are working to identify and arrest other suspects linked to the incident.

The rescued victims are expected to receive further attention as security agencies continue investigations into their ordeal.

The agencies have yet to disclose details of the identities of the victims, the exact location where they were rescued or whether any arrests have been made.

Security sources said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects involved in the abduction

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NDC Candidate Questions Barau’s Origin, Says He’s Not From Kano North

Published

8 hours ago

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October 7, 2026

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By Ahmad Muhammad.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Kano North Senatorial District, Nasiru Garo, has questioned the origin of the incumbent Senator, Barau Jibrin, saying he is not from the zone.

Garo, who spoke during his campaign tour of the district on Sunday, alleged that the Deputy President of the Senate had previously contested and won a House of Representatives seat in Tarauni Local Government, which is under Kano Central and not Kano North.

He claimed that from 1999 to 2023, Barau’s political base was outside Kano North, which is why he has not been sensitive to the needs of the people of the area.

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According to him, occupying a high office in the Senate should have translated to more development for Kano North, but the reverse is the case due to lack of commitment.

He listed the abandoned Gwarzo-Dayi Federal Road, which links several agrarian communities, as a major failure of the current representation in the district.

Garo also decried the failure to rehabilitate the Ghari Dam, noting that its revival would boost dry-season farming and create jobs for thousands of youths and farmers.

“The people of this zone have been shortchanged in terms of federal projects and employment opportunities,” he said.

The NDC candidate promised to give the district purposeful representation by ensuring completion of abandoned projects, reviving key dams, and attracting federal presence to the 13 local government areas of Kano North if elected

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