Amnesty International faults FG over killing of 17 in Benue

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 17 people in Mbalom community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, blaming Nigerian authorities for failing to protect residents from what it described as recurring and preventable attacks.

In a statement issued on Monday, the global rights organisation said armed assailants stormed the community on Sunday during Easter celebrations, killing several villagers, wounding others and setting homes and shops ablaze.

Amnesty International said the attack reflected persistent gaps in Nigeria’s security architecture and called on the Federal Government to order a prompt, independent and transparent investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

It also demanded strengthened security deployments in Benue and other violence-prone communities across the North-Central region, where armed groups have repeatedly struck with little apparent deterrence from security forces.

The organisation warned that the continued bloodshed pointed to a systemic failure to safeguard vulnerable populations and urged authorities to take decisive action to halt the trend.

The Mbalom attack is the latest in a string of assaults on communities in Benue State, deepening concerns over the Federal Government’s response to escalating insecurity in the region.