24 Farmers K!lled, Many M!ssing As Bandits Open Fir£ On V!ctims Working On Zamfara Farms –Amnesty International

24 Farmers Killed, Many Missing As Bandits Open Fire On Victims Working On Zamfara Farms –Amnesty International

According to Amnesty International, some of the farmers who escaped the attack sustained life-threatening injuries as the gunmen carried out the deadly assault.

Amnesty International has condemned the brutal killing of at least 24 farmers by suspected bandits during an attack on Sauna Ruwan Gora Ward in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, describing the massacre as further evidence that Nigeria’s security strategy in the state has failed.

In a statement, the human rights organisation said the attackers invaded the farming community and opened fire at close range on adults working on their farms, leaving at least 24 people dead while several others remain missing.

According to Amnesty International, some of the farmers who escaped the attack sustained life-threatening injuries as the gunmen carried out the deadly assault.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the killing of 24 farmers by bandits during an attack on Sauna Ruwan Gora Ward of Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Such killings have been going on across Zamfara State, with many communities left constantly bracing up for the next attack,” the organisation said.

The rights group explained that the attackers specifically targeted farmers in their fields, shooting any adult they encountered.

“The gunmen attacked the village and went shooting at close range at any adult found working on his farm. Some farmers escaped with life-threatening injuries. This is yet another proof that whatever security strategy adopted to deal with the situation in Zamfara is not working,” Amnesty International stated.

The organisation lamented that repeated military operations in the state have failed to halt the persistent attacks, particularly in rural communities that continue to bear the brunt of the violence.

According to Amnesty International, the latest massacre occurred in a village located approximately 16 kilometres from Talata Mafara, demonstrating that even communities situated close to major towns are no longer safe from attacks.

“Previous military interventions have failed to end the killings, especially in rural areas. The fact this attack happened at a village about 16 kilometres from Talata Mafara shows that no part of Zamfara State is safe.”

The organisation further revealed that residents across Zamfara have consistently reported receiving advance warnings from armed groups before attacks are carried out.

It said villagers often receive threatening phone calls demanding the payment of huge sums of money, with warnings that failure to comply would result in killings or abductions.

“Across Zamfara State, villagers described a pattern where they receive warnings ahead of attacks, including by phone, ordering them to pay huge sums of money or be killed or abducted,” Amnesty International said.

The rights group noted that years of insecurity have forced many rural residents to abandon their farmlands, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.

“For years, in several communities, villagers said they were afraid to venture more than a few kilometres into the bush, which is preventing them from farming,” the organisation stated.

Amnesty International described the humanitarian situation in Zamfara as dire, saying the prolonged insecurity has turned everyday life into a nightmare for thousands of villagers while receiving insufficient attention from the authorities.

“The crisis in Zamfara is making life hell for villagers, yet it is clearly low down on the list of government priorities,” the organisation said.

Calling for urgent action, Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to immediately end the cycle of violence and ensure that those responsible for the killings are identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with international standards of justice.

“These killings must stop immediately, and those suspected of criminal responsibility must be brought to justice in fair trials,” the organisation said.

It stressed that the Nigerian authorities have a constitutional and international obligation to safeguard the lives and security of all citizens, regardless of where they live.

“The Nigerian authorities have a responsibility to protect the lives of everybody in the country, including people in poor and rural communities,” Amnesty International added.