Amnesty on herdsmen killings: It’s not enough for govt to make pronouncements

Amnesty International has condemned the wave of violence in the country, asking the federal government to punish all those involved.

According to the organisation, over 80 people were killed between January 1 and January 5 in Benue, Rivers, Taraba and Kaduna alone.

In a statement signed by Osai Ojigho, director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, the human rights organisation clamoured for accountability from those found guilty of carrying out the violent killings.

Ojigho said the lack of accountability had only served to spur the perpetrators’ thirst for killing.

“The Nigerian authorities must do more to end this epidemic of gruesome killings of dozens of people across the country,” he said.

“Though these clashes have been going on for years, we have seen a disturbing escalation in the bloodshed since the start of 2018.

“The government must make better use of its resources to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.

“No one has ever been held to account for the many murders committed during these clashes. The pattern of attacks and reprisals is reaching a boiling point because of the failure of authorities to carry out investigations and end the rampant impunity for previous crimes”.

Ojigho asked the government to take decisive action in bringing the “bloodthirsty killers” to book, adding that this is the only way to curb the menace.

“It is not enough for government to make pronouncements or issue condemnations, it is vital that those responsible are punished,” he said.

“That herdsmen, ethnic militias and cult groups kill Nigerians with ease should be a wakeup call for the Nigerian government to ensure accountability for every violation of human rights.

“This is the only way to start to tame this wave of violence that is endangering lives across the country.”