Amnesty International (AI) on Monday accused the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) of killing dozens of villagers in airstrikes on some villages rocked by communal clashes. It also accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to promptly respond to crisis situation, application of excessive force and engaging in extrajudicial killings.
According to a report made public on Monday by the Spokesman, Isa Sanusi, AI alleged that at least 35 people were killed by airstrikes carried out by NAF.
Sanusi who quoted Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria, said the Nigerian authorities’ response to communal violence was inadequate, too slow and ineffective, and in some cases unlawful.
Amnesty International said clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Ondo and Kaduna have resulted in 168 deaths in January 2018 alone.
He said “In some cases where the Nigerian security agencies did respond to communal violence, they used excessive or unlawful force resulting in even more deaths and destruction.”