Gunmen Kill at least 15 in Northern Nigeria, Amnesty Reports

Gunmen Kill at least 15 in Northern Nigeria, Amnesty Reports
———————————
At least 15 people are confirmed dead following a coordinated attack by gunmen on three communities in north-central Nigeria, according to a statement released Sunday by Amnesty International.

The rights organization reported that the attacks occurred simultaneously on Saturday in the villages of Tashan Maje, Saduro, and Runtuwa, all located within the Borgu area of Niger State.

Amnesty’s statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), described the “horrific attack,” stating that “gunmen invaded the villages… on dozens of motorcycles shooting in all directions. They also ransacked shops.”

Northern Nigeria is currently enduring a multifaceted security crisis. The region is beset by both Islamic militants, primarily in the northeast, and armed criminal gangs (locally termed “bandits”) who carry out kidnappings for ransom and widespread violence across the northwest and north-central areas.

This crisis has drawn international attention, particularly after statements by U.S. President Donald Trump alleging Nigeria fails to protect Christians from genocide. The Nigerian government has denied these claims, and many analysts argue they oversimplify a conflict where victims are often targeted indiscriminately, regardless of their faith.

This latest tragedy comes just days after Nigerian police reported 38 deaths and multiple abductions in a similar attack in Zamfara State.