Northern Insecurity: US, Amnesty International, React
AREWA AGENDA – The US government and Amnesty International has reacted to the killings in Nigeria, calling on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to do more in terms of security.
Killings by armed groups such as bandits and Boko Haram have triggered protests in the north where the unfortunate incidents have been happening.
In a statement released early on Thursday, the US expressed regrets over the rising attacks in the country.
“We condemn the recent senseless and brazen killings of civilians in northern Nigeria. In recent weeks, suspected ISIS West Africa militants launched multiple attacks in Borno State, killing more than 120 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly,” the statement read.
“On June 9, unidentified armed bandits attacked a village in Katsina State, killing dozens.
These horrific crimes follow the shooting of a pastor and his pregnant wife on June 1 and the killing of an imam, local village head, and several civilians on June 5 in the course of intercommunal violence in Taraba State.
Read Also:
“Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Nigeria in recent years to violent attacks by terrorist groups or criminal gangs, in inter-communal violence, or due to their religious beliefs. The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen ongoing efforts to address this violence, hold those responsible accountable, and protect civilians.”
Also reacting, Amnesty International called on Aminu Masari, governor of the state, and President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over their inability to safeguard lives and properties of Nigerians in the North.
It also condemned the arrest of Nastura Sharif, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Coalition of Northern Groups, who organised a series of protests against the killing of innocent people by bandits and other criminal elements in Katsina State.
Amnesty Nigeria media manager, Isa Sanusi, in a chat with journalists urged the government to immediately release the CNG chairman.
He said, “Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Nastura Ashir Sharif who has done nothing more than speak up in defence of people’s right to life and calling for an end of the rising insecurity across northern Nigeria.
“He was simply asking the authorities to do their job. His arrest appears to be an attempt to intimidate and harass both him and others peacefully exercising freedom of assembly and expression. Protest is not a crime, it is a right. Subjecting activists to such arbitrary arrest is a violation of Nigerian and international human rights laws.”
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of young writers from Northern Nigeria towards peaceful coexistence and national development through positive narratives.
