Lagos, Nigeria: Despite President Bola Tinubu’s New Year message touting improved security, a chilling report from Amnesty International paints a starkly different picture. The human rights organization claims at least 368 people were killed in just 32 days between December 2023 and January 1, 2024, directly contradicting the president’s assertions.
Tinubu’s New Year address declared, “Security has improved. Silently, we have worked to free captives from abductors.” However, Amnesty International’s detailed breakdown of recent attacks across the country tells a grim story:
- Plateau:Â 194 killed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- Kaduna:Â 142 killed on December 3rd
- Sokoto:Â 12 killed on December 24th
- Katsina:Â 8 killed on December 24th
- Borno:Â 12 killed on January 1st at Chibok
The Plateau Christmas Eve massacre, the most recent and deadliest of these attacks, has ignited national and international outrage. While Tinubu has condemned the violence and ordered relief for victims’ families, calls for justice and accountability for the perpetrators remain loud and persistent.
The United Nations, France, and the United States have all joined the chorus of condemnation, urging the Nigerian government to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
Amnesty International’s report casts a heavy shadow over Tinubu’s claims of improved security. With hundreds of lives lost in just a month, the pressure is mounting on the new administration to deliver on its promises and ensure the safety of its citizens.
