HRW: Boko Haram Kills 2,053 Civilians in 6 Months

Human Right Watch revealed Tuesday that Boko Haram has killed at least 2,053 civilians in an estimated 95 attacks during the first half of 2014. According to the group, the figures are based on detailed analyses of media reports as well as field investigations. While describing the killings as crimes against humanity, it noted that the killings and other abuses were part of widespread attacks on civilians in over 70 towns and villages in the Northeast, Abuja and other places.

‘There has been a dramatic increase during 2014 in the numbers of casualties from bomb blasts, including several apparent suicide bombings. Since January, at least 432 people have been reported killed in 14 blasts in crowded marketplaces, a brothel, a technical college, and, on two occasions, places where people were watching soccer matches. Three of these attacks were in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital; two in Kano; two in Jos, the Plateau state capital; and three in Abuja, the federal capital. The Abuja attacks may demonstrate a southward trend of Boko Haram operations, Human Rights Watch said.

“Boko Haram is effectively waging war on the people of northeastern Nigeria at a staggering human cost,” said Corinne Dufka, West Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Atrocities committed as part of a widespread attack on civilians are crimes against humanity, for which those responsible need to be held to account,” he added.

It added that the bulk of the attacks and casualties credibly reported and investigated by the organisation took place in Borno State - where 1,446 people died; with attacks killing 151 in Adamawa state and 143 civilians in Yobe state.