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As President Muhammadu Buhari hosts world leaders today at the second West African Regional Security Summit in Abuja, Amnesty International has said efforts to protect civilians in the fight against Boko Haram must be increased.

In a statement released on Saturday, the human rights advocacy group called on the leaders attending the regional security summit to ensure justice for thousands of victims remain a priority.

“Whether they have suffered at the hands of Boko Haram, or of the security forces who were supposed to protect them, the conflict’s thousands of victims deserve justice,” said Netsanet Belay, Amnesty International’s Research and Advocacy Director for Africa. “Despite repeated promises, governments affected by the conflict have not adequately investigated evidence of crimes under international law and human rights abuses and violations nor taken steps to prosecute and bring to trial the suspected perpetrators. Now is the time to put those promises into action.”

Boko Haram insurgents have killed and abducted thousands of people. The terrorist group has also subjected women and girls to sexual violence. In Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger, the armed group has destroyed towns and villages, forcing more than two million people out of their homes.  

Amnesty International has also accused security forces of committing human rights violations and crimes under international law in their fight against Boko Haram. The human rights group said it has documented extra-judicial executions, deaths in military custody, enforced disappearances, the use of torture, looting and other violations by the state security forces of Nigeria and Cameroon. Chad and Niger have also been accused of human rights violations while fighting Boko Haram.

The regional security summit will be attended by the Presidents of France, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic, Senegal and Gabon. The Summit will also aim to develop an action plan for infrastructure development, and reintegration of internally displaced persons and refugees.