Insecurity: US Says North Has Become A Killing Field

Amnesty International Demands Release Of Katsina Protest Leader

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The United States of America, USA says Northern Nigeria has now become a killing field, warning the federal government to do something to stop the incessant killings before it’s too late.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in his June 12 Democracy Day address to the nation said he has directed the security agencies to be more ruthless with the criminals.

This may not have been satisfactory enough for the United states which said the government needed to do more to protect innocent civilians lives across the country.

“The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen ongoing efforts to address this violence, hold those responsible accountable, and protect civilians,” the President Donald Trump administration said.

Over 100 persons were killed by Boko Haram terrorists last week in Borno state.

Bandits have also stepped up their attacks in the north east and north central, prompting protests in places like Katsina last week.

The killings have become so brazen, “we condemn the recent killings of civilians in northern Nigeria, the US Secretary of State, Micheal Pompeo said in a statement yesterday.

Pompeo condemned the multiple attacks by ISIS and other terrorists.

According to him “In recent weeks, suspected ISIS West Africa militants launched multiple attacks in Borno State, killing more than 120 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

On June 9, unidentified armed bandits attacked a village in Katsina State, killing dozens.”

These horrific crimes follow the shooting of a pastor and his pregnant wife on June 1 and the killing of an imam, local village head, and several civilians on June 5  in  the course of inter-communal violence in  Taraba State,” Pompeo said.

He said some of the killings have religious colouration because “Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Nigeria in recent years to violent attacks  by  terrorist groups  or  criminal gangs, in inter-communal violence, or due to their religious beliefs.”

Meanwhile, Amnesty International, AI has condemned the arrest of Nastura Ashir, leader of the Coalition of Northern Group, CNG which conducted protests in some Northern states last week.

Isa Sanusi, Spokesman for AI said the protesters have the rights to demand a better life.

He said “Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Nastura Ashir Sharif, who has done nothing more than speak up in defence of people’s right to life and calling for an end to rising insecurity across northern Nigeria.

He was simply asking the authorities to do their job. His arrest appears to be an attempt to intimidate and harass both him and others peacefully exercising freedom of assembly and expression. Protest is not a crime, it is a right.

Subjecting activists to such arbitrary arrest is a violation of Nigerian and international human rights laws.”