Amnesty International has condemned what it described as the failure of Nigerian authorities to protect residents following renewed attacks by gunmen on communities in Isa and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State.

The rights organisation said several villages were attacked between Monday and Tuesday, leading to displacement of residents, abductions and reports of missing persons.

In a statement posted on its verified Facebook account on Wednesday, Amnesty International said the worsening insecurity in northern Nigeria reflected what it called the inability of authorities to discharge their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“The government has an obligation to protect its population,” the organisation stated.

It further noted that the increasing cases of killings, kidnappings and mass displacement across northern Nigeria underscore the scale of insecurity facing affected communities.

“The rising death toll, abductions and displacement in the north of Nigeria shows just how badly the authorities are failing in this responsibility,” the statement added.

The organisation called on the government to take urgent measures to safeguard vulnerable communities and ensure accountability for attacks targeting civilians.