Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to urgently investigate an attack by bandits on rural communities in Sokoto State that left seven people dead and more than 17 others abducted.
The raid targeted the Dinawa, Munki and Gidan Dare communities in Wurno Local Government Area on Wednesday, August 19.
Fifteen of those kidnapped were women and girls, the rights group said.
“The Nigerian authorities must investigate the horrifying attack on Dinawa, Munki and Gidan Dare communities of Wurno local government Sokoto state in which 7 people were killed and more than 17 people abducted,” Amnesty International stated.
The organisation said the incident once again highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities in the state.
“Gunmen, bandits and armed groups — almost daily — continue to slaughter and abduct villagers across some parts of Sokoto state. These consistent attacks have left people at the mercy of gunmen on rampage,” it added.
Amnesty noted that many villages in the eastern and southern parts of the state have been deserted, with residents spending much of their time attending funerals or paying condolence visits. Farms, it said, have been “turned into graveyards that keep expanding.”
The group criticised the government’s response, describing the ongoing failure to protect villagers from predictable attacks as “utterly shameful.”
