Killings: Amnesty International Faults FG Over Death Of 17 In Benue

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 17 persons in Mbalom community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, blaming Nigerian authorities for failing to protect vulnerable populations from recurring attacks.

In a statement issued on Monday, the global rights organisation said the incident occurred on Sunday as armed assailants stormed the community during Easter celebrations, unleashing violence on residents.

According to Amnesty International, the attackers killed several villagers, injured many others, and razed homes and shops, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement.

The organisation expressed concern over what it described as the persistent inability of security agencies to prevent such attacks, particularly in communities that have suffered repeated violence over time.

It stressed that the continued bloodshed reflects gaps in the country’s security architecture and called for urgent and decisive action to halt the trend.

Amnesty International urged the Federal Government to conduct a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident, with a view to ensuring that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

It also called for strengthened security measures to safeguard lives and property in affected communities across Benue State and other violence-prone areas.

The latest attack adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the North-Central region, where several communities have come under repeated assaults by armed groups.