More than 10,217 people have been killed in violent attacks across several Nigerian states since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago, according to a new report by Amnesty International released on Thursday.

The international human rights organization described the Nigerian authorities' inability to address insecurity as "shocking" and warned that the failure to protect citizens has led to mass killings, abductions, and a humanitarian crisis across multiple states.

"Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country," said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

State-by-State Breakdown of Violence

According to the report, Benue State recorded the highest number of killings with 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 deaths. In Zamfara State, over 273 people were killed and 467 abducted, with attacks occurring almost daily.

The report further revealed that 638 villages have been sacked, and 725 others remain under the control of bandits across 13 local government areas of Zamfara. In Katsina State, Amnesty verified the killing of over 294 people and the abduction of 306, mostly women and girls, between May 2023 and May 2025.

The humanitarian impact has been severe, with 450,000 people in Benue and 65,000 in Plateau becoming internally displaced. Some IDP camps have also been targeted by attackers. In these states, gunmen have destroyed critical infrastructure including boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves, and places of worship.

Emergence of New Armed Groups

Amnesty also expressed concern about the rise of new armed groups such as Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi states, and Mamuda in Kwara state, alongside coordinated killings by herders in rural communities.

"In the two years since President Bola Tinubu's government assumed power, new armed groups have emerged while hundreds of villages have been sacked by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara," Sanusi noted.

Between May 9 and 11, gunmen sacked four villages in Isa local government area of Sokoto state: Bafarawa, Gebe, Kamarawa, Garin Fadama, and Haruwai. Residents of these communities are now displaced and struggling to survive.

The report also revealed that residents in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina states are being forced to pay levies to gunmen, who threaten them with death if they fail to comply by given deadlines.

"The authorities' failure to hold suspected perpetrators accountable is fueling a cycle of impunity that is making everyone feel unsafe," Sanusi said. "Time is running out, as gunmen, bandits, and insurgents ramp up attacks daily. The nationwide bloodshed must end now."

Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to match their words with serious and concrete action to end the violence, bring perpetrators to justice, and provide relief to victims.