Large scale displacement as a result frequent attacks by bandits and other armed groups have been pushing Katsina state to the brink of a humanitarian disaster. 

The Nigerian authorities and Katsina state government must address rampant insecurity across the state that is displacing more people and depriving thousands of people of dignified life. 

Widespread malnutrition has been claiming the lives of hundreds of children across the state. In the first six months of this year alone, at least 652 children have died from malnutrition, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) More children die everyday. Mothers watch helplessly as their children die everyday. In the absence of effective humanitarian support people live in the anguish of not being able to afford basic life necessities. 

Rampant insecurity and failure of authorities to effectively end them and protect lives has left people of 13 out 34 local governments of the state affected in so many ways by attacks, looting and abduction for ransom. Thousands of people across the state are desperate for food, health care, water and even shelter. In the absence of safe access to humanitarian aid, and escalating attacks, more lives are at risk. 

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) no fewer than 300,000 children are currently out of school in Katsina State. Many more children in Dandume, Jibiya, Safana, Batsari, Faskari, Funtua and Kankia local governments face  devastating malnutrition and lack of access to health care. 

Amnesty International is calling on both Federal and state government of Katsina to effectively end the incessant violence unleashed by gunmen on rural communities.