“Burning 12 Family Members Alive Shows Utter Failure Of Nigerian Authorities” — Amnesty Slams Zamfara Killings

Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the attack yesterday in which bandits burnt alive a family of 12 at Gidan Taba village in Maradun Local Government Area, saying it once again shows utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to end over a decade of bloody security crisis in Zamfara.

In a statement, Amnesty International Nigeria said previous military interventions have failed to end the killings, especially in rural areas of Zamfara.

Villagers described feeling helpless and on edge, constantly bracing themselves for attacks.

Villagers described a pattern where they sometimes receive warnings ahead of attacks, including by phone, ordering them to pay huge sums of money or be killed or abducted. After every attack villagers bury their dead and brace up for the next attack.

“The crisis in Zamfara is making life hell for villagers, yet it is clearly low down on the list of government priorities. These killings must stop immediately, and those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials,” Amnesty International Nigeria said.

“The Nigerian authorities have a responsibility to protect the lives of everybody in the country, including people in poor and rural communities.”