The Amnesty International has disclosed that between January 2023 and February 2024, Benue State recorded at least 135 attacks and over 2,600 deaths, including women and children.
The Programmes Manager, Amnesty International, Mrs Barbara Magaji, stated this during a photo exhibition and press conference on the conflicts in Benue, held in Makurdi, yesterday. She also said between January and February 18, 2024, several attacks took place in four local government areas of the state, including Apa, Otukpo, Agatu and Guma, respectively.
“As a result of the attacks, a total of 12,369 individuals from 2,105 households were displaced from their homes, forcing them to seek refuge in neighbouring communities. At least 540 people were killed and 149 injuries reported because of the attacks,” she said.
Magaji, who noted that the figures were findings of their research on frequent attacks in Benue state, said: “We are deeply concerned by how these attacks undermine the right to life, right livelihood and the right to live free from violence or any form of discrimination.”
“Between January 2023 and February, 2024, over 50 rural communities in Benue State recorded, at least, 135 attacks leading to the deaths of 2,600 people, many of whom are women and children. This has left hundreds displaced, wounded, raped and others kidnapped.”
While she noted that 18 out of 23 local government areas of the state, 18 have been affected, Magaji said the attacks are significantly affecting food security and livelihood, because the affected communities are farmers and displacement makes them unable to carry out any farming activities.
She also reported that as a result of the attacks, 55 schools were destroyed by armed attackers or closed due to insecurity, thereby leaving hundreds of children out of school, in addition to periodic markets in rural communities, which had either been attacked, destroyed or closed following conflicts and insecurity. She also noted that over 80 percent of farming populations in Agatu, Guma, Gwer West have been displaced with no access to farmland or any means of livelihood.
Amnesty International, therefore, called on the Nigerian authorities to, among other things, protect lives and end the attacks in Benue State, while ensuring that security lapses and attacks are investigated to gain justice for the victims, survivors and their families.
