—Urges Shift from Condemnations to Concrete Action
The Director of Amnesty International in Nigeria, Isah Sunusi, has openly criticized the recent statement of condemnation issued by the Northern Senators’ Forum following the brutal killing of 35 civilians in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Wednesday, Sunusi described the statement as hollow and ineffective, saying the lawmakers are failing in their duty to take meaningful legislative action to end the violence plaguing the region.
“Nigerians are tired of hearing ‘we condemn this attack.’ What the people want now is action on the ground,” Sunusi said. “This is not the first time. These empty statements of condemnation must stop. Each time such incidents happen, all we hear is a press release. People in Zamfara are being killed, their belongings seized, and they’re being prevented from farming. The senators should change their approach and compel the government to act.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Northern Senators’ Forum, led by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, issued a condolence message expressing sympathy with the families and communities affected by the Kaura Namoda killings. However, the statement stopped short of outlining any legislative or security response to address the ongoing bloodshed.
Sunusi expressed deep frustration at the persistent cycle of violence and what he called “governmental inaction.” He stated that Amnesty International has repeatedly issued warnings and submitted detailed reports about the rising tide of insecurity, but with little to no response from authorities.
“We’ve called attention to this issue countless times. We’ve done investigations and submitted our findings, yet the problem persists because no decisive action is taken,” he said.
He further linked the unchecked violence to the government’s failure to prosecute suspects arrested for terrorism, banditry, or kidnapping.
“What surprises everyone is that those arrested for these crimes are rarely prosecuted. As long as Nigeria fails to bring suspects to justice, anyone could feel emboldened to rape, steal, or terrorize communities, knowing they’ll get away with it.”
Amnesty International is now urging the Nigerian government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of its citizens, warning that the continued lack of accountability is enabling impunity.
Hobnob News had earlier reported how bandits slaughtered several hostages in Zamfara this week, despite ransom payments made by their families. Zamfara remains one of Nigeria’s most affected states in the growing crisis of armed banditry and ransom kidnappings.
