Amnesty laments 2,600 women and children killed, 18 out of 23 councils affected
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Amnesty International (AI) has decried the ceaseless attacks in Benue, lamenting how more than 2,600 people, mostly women and children, were murdered by armed herdsmen in 50 communities between January 2023 and February 2024 alone.
AI Nigeria Program Manager Barbara Magaji raised the concern in Makurdi at the presentation of research findings on the attacks, noting the incursions have left hundreds displaced, and some wounded and raped.
“50 rural communities in the state recorded at least 135 attacks leading to the deaths of over 2,600 people, many of whom are women and children. This has left hundreds displaced, wounded, raped and others kidnapped,” she said.
“Benue state has 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs), of which 18 have been affected by insecurity and face continuous attacks by armed attackers.
“These attacks are significantly affecting food security and livelihood, because the affected communities are farmers and displacement make them unable to carry out any farming activity.”
Magaji said the incursions have also led to the destruction of more than 55 schools across the state, forcing hundreds of children out of school.
She urged Abuja to end attacks in Benue, conduct impartial investigation into the carnage, and ensure justice for victims, survivors, and their families.
“Nigerian authorities must ensure that suspected perpetrators of human rights abuses in the state resulting from the attacks are brought to justice through fair trial.
“Nigerian authorities must investigate the security lapses that enabled gunmen to carry out these attacks and get away with it. Those with responsibility for protecting lives and property must be held to account.
“People displaced must be provided with adequate humanitarian support, standard of living and children’s education must be continued.
“Special attention must be paid to how the conflict affects children and a plan must be made to protect their rights. The attacks and conflict in Benue State must never happen again.”
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