Amnesty International says the invasion of Kuchi village in Niger State by suspected insurgents is ‘yet another indication of the Nigerian authorities’ utter failure to protect lives’.

Amnesty International has expressed “deep concern” about the killing of 10 people and the abduction of more than 160 – mostly women and children – from a remote village in Nigeria’s central Niger State.

“The abduction indicates the failure of President Bola Tinubu’s government to protect lives,” it said in a statement released on Sunday, May 26.

A large group of armed men – suspected of being members of the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to as Boko Haram – stormed Kuchi village in the Munya Local Government Area on Friday night.

It was raining when the gunmen arrived in the village on motorbikes at about 7pm. They reportedly took their time and spent more than two hours cooking food, making tea and looting shops and houses before they left with the abducted people.

At least four security agents, including local hunters and vigilantes, were killed. Three villagers who tried to escape being abducted were also among those killed.

Community members said there were about 300 men, all heavily armed.

A villager from Kuchi, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “They went from house to house selecting those they wanted to abduct, mostly women and children. They looted shops, taking goods and drinks.

“They were heavily armed. They overpowered security operatives. No reinforcements were sent until Saturday morning.”

The chairman of the Munya council, Aminu Najume, said the community had been left traumatised and they were extremely anxious about those who had been taken by the gunmen.

He said the number of wounded could not be immediately ascertained because many community members spent the night in the bushes to escape being abducted.

“We are waiting for them to return. Everyone is frightened.”

Amnesty International said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that it was deeply concerned about the mass abduction.

“The invasion of the village by the gunmen is yet another indication of the Nigerian authorities’ utter failure to protect lives.

“Since 2021 gunmen have been consistently attacking Kuchi village and raping women and girls in their matrimonial homes.

“From time to time, the gunmen demand millions of naira as ransom from the people to avoid being kidnapped.

“Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to end these abductions and bring suspected perpetrators to justice. Frequent mass abductions and killings are clear evidence of the failure of authorities to protect the people.”

The attack on Kutchi village occurred a week after suspected bandits – said to be dressed in military uniform – abducted 20 people from the Dawaki community in Abuja.

On Monday, May 20, armed men raided Zurak, a village in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. At least 40 community members were killed.

Tinubu’s government, which will mark its one year in office on May 29, has been criticised for waves of violent attacks by suspected bandits and members of the JAS and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Atiku Abubakar, the leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, condemned the attacks.

He said in a statement that ongoing attacks “exposed the propaganda and lies of Tinubu’s government”.

After the Plateau attack, Peter Obi, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, urged Tinubu’s administration “to wake up to its responsibilities” of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.