Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian government over a series of deadly attacks in Plateau State, citing a failure to protect civilians. Three men were killed on Friday, 3 April, when gunmen ambushed them in Nyangom Gel, Jos South Local Government Area. This followed the killing of about 30 people in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, just days earlier. Amnesty described the recurring violence and delayed security responses as evidence of systemic breakdown. "The utter failure of President Bola Tinubu's government to address widespread insecurity is costing lives," the organisation said. Victims reported that security forces were absent during attacks and only arrived after gunmen had fled. Some communities said they had been attacked up to six times.
Amnesty noted that Plateau State is growing increasingly unsafe, with both rural and urban areas affected. Between December 2023 and February 2024, at least 1,336 people were killed—533 women, 263 children, and 540 men—while over 29,000 were displaced. The group called for "thorough, independent and impartial investigations" into the Angwan Rukuba killings and other recent attacks. It demanded justice for perpetrators and compensation for victims. Despite government claims that the situation is under control, fresh violence continues.
President Bola Tinubu's claim of control over Plateau's security situation holds little weight when communities are attacked repeatedly and security forces arrive only after bloodshed. The fact that over 1,300 people were killed in three months alone exposes a dangerous gap between official statements and ground realities. For Nigerians in Plateau, the cost of this disconnect is measured in lives lost and fear entrenched. Empty promises won't stop bullets—only presence, prevention, and accountability can.
