Amnesty Blasts FG Over Imam, Children’s Brutal Deaths

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of the Chief Imam of Maru Jumma’a Mosque, Alkali Salihu Suleiman, and his three children, who were abducted in March during the Ramadan fasting period.

The tragedy unfolded after the bandits received ₦11 million of the ₦20 million ransom they had demanded.

According to a statement from Amnesty International, the Chief Imam, aged 79, and his children endured horrific conditions during their captivity.

“While in the custody of the bandits, they were subjected to almost daily rounds of torture and other ill-treatment,” the rights group said. The victims were reportedly beaten, deprived of food and water for long hours, and subjected to continuous trauma throughout their ordeal.

Amnesty International’s Director for West and Central Africa, Agnes Callamard, expressed outrage over the authorities’ failure to intervene and protect innocent lives.

“The Nigerian authorities have consistently failed to protect lives and property, while the killers continue to carry out horrific atrocities,” Callamard stated. “This includes slaughtering people, abductions, amputations, the rape of women and girls, and the razing of entire villages.”

The statement further emphasized the persistent insecurity in rural communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, where banditry and violent attacks have continued for years.

“Terrifying attacks on rural communities in northern Nigeria have persisted for years. The current failure of security forces to take sufficient steps to protect villagers from these predictable attacks is utterly shameful and unacceptable,” Amnesty International stressed.

The human rights organization also highlighted the government’s inadequate response to the ongoing violence.

“Apart from the security forces’ failure to heed warnings of impending attacks or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed and helpless,” the statement said.

Amnesty further criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for failing to address the growing insecurity in the country.

“Almost daily attacks across Zamfara and other states clearly show that President Bola Tinubu and his government have no effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups and gunmen, who are increasingly operating with impunity across many parts of Nigeria,” the rights body asserted.

The statement concluded with a call to action for President Tinubu’s government to prioritize the protection of lives and take decisive steps to end the cycle of violence.

“President Bola Tinubu promised to tackle insecurity nationwide, but so far, the security of lives appears to be low on his government’s list of priorities.”

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