A new report by international human rights organisation Amnesty International has revealed that more than 2,500 people were killed in a wave of violent attacks across Plateau State within a six-month period, between May and November 2025, raising renewed concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation and the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities.
The alarming figures were contained in Amnesty International’s latest quarterly report, released on Monday, which documents the scale, patterns and humanitarian consequences of the sustained violence that has plagued several local government areas in the state.
According to the report, over 50 local communities were affected by coordinated attacks during the period under review, with at least 29,554 residents forced to flee their homes. Among those displaced were 16,461 women and 93 children, many of whom are now living in dire conditions across various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps scattered throughout Plateau State.
Amnesty International stated that it has been closely monitoring the attacks, particularly in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas, which have emerged as epicentres of the violence. The organisation noted that the attacks often followed a similar pattern, characterised by night raids on rural communities, the burning of homes, and indiscriminate killings of civilians.
While many of the assaults were attributed to armed groups suspected to be Fulani militias, Amnesty International also acknowledged that some incidents were carried out by local youths engaging in retaliatory attacks, further fuelling cycles of violence and deepening ethnic and communal tensions in the region.
In a strongly worded assessment, the rights group criticised the Plateau State Government and Nigerian security agencies for what it described as slow, ineffective and largely reactive responses to the crisis. Amnesty International argued that authorities have consistently failed to take decisive and preventive measures to halt the escalating violence, despite repeated warnings and early signs of impending attacks.
“The pattern of attacks and the scale of casualties point to systemic security failures,” the report stated, adding that rural communities remain particularly exposed due to poor security presence and delayed intervention by law enforcement agencies.
Under a section titled “Key Findings and Actions in Plateau State,” Amnesty International detailed the human cost of the violence, stating:
“In only six months, beginning from May to November 2025, over 2,500 people have been killed in Plateau State alone due to violent attacks by suspected Fulani militia groups and local youths on revenge missions.”
The report further revealed that displacement figures were particularly high in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, where entire communities were forced to abandon their homes and farmlands, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.
“Our documentation also reveals that at least 29,554 people were displaced in communities across Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas within the same period,” Amnesty International noted.
Beyond the immediate loss of life and displacement, the organisation warned of the long-term humanitarian implications of the violence, including trauma, loss of livelihoods, disrupted education for children, and heightened risks of gender-based violence in overcrowded IDP camps.
Amnesty International strongly condemned what it described as “inexcusable security lapses” by both state and federal authorities, arguing that the high death toll reflects a failure of governance and accountability.
“Amnesty International condemns the security lapses from the state government and security agencies who have not been proactive enough to put measures in place to end the escalating waves of violence in the state,” the report stated.
The organisation stressed that the Nigerian government has a legal obligation under both national and international law to protect lives and property, particularly in conflict-prone areas. It warned that continued inaction and impunity would only embolden perpetrators and prolong the crisis.
“Amnesty International attributes the high death toll to inexcusable security lapses and the government’s failure to protect rural communities,” the report added.
Calling for urgent action, Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to launch impartial, transparent and independent investigations into all reported attacks, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators. The group emphasised that justice for victims is essential to breaking the cycle of violence.
“Amnesty International has repeatedly urged Nigerian authorities to launch impartial investigations into the attacks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, emphasizing that impunity fuels further violence,” the report concluded.
The findings add to growing national and international pressure on the Nigerian government to address the persistent insecurity in Plateau State and other parts of the country, where communal clashes, banditry and armed violence continue to claim thousands of lives annually.
As communities in Plateau State struggle to recover from yet another wave of bloodshed, rights groups warn that without decisive action, accountability and sustained peacebuilding efforts, the humanitarian crisis will continue to deepen, leaving countless civilians trapped in an endless cycle of fear, displacement and loss.
Follow Africa Live News for more updates:
🌍 Website: https://www.africalivenews.com
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africalivenews
🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/africalivenews2
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africalivemews
