Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 10 residents in Mbalom community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, describing the incident as a failure of authorities to safeguard lives and property.
The attack, which occurred on Easter Sunday, saw armed men invade the community during celebrations, leaving several people dead, many others injured, and properties destroyed.
In a statement released on Monday, the organisation said, “Gunmen invaded the village while Easter celebrations were ongoing, leaving dozens of people severely injured.”
It added that the assailants not only killed residents but also set houses and shops ablaze, worsening the humanitarian situation in the area.
Amnesty criticised the government’s handling of insecurity in the state, saying, “The Nigerian authorities have failed the people of Benue State again and again,” noting that recurring attacks have stripped residents of their fundamental rights, including the right to life and freedom of movement.
According to the group, the violence has contributed to a growing displacement crisis, with over 500,000 people forced from their homes and now living in camps under difficult conditions, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and healthcare.
Local authorities confirmed the incident, with the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Timothy Adi, stating, “The invasion and attacks happened between 5 pm and 6 pm. Nine corpses have so far been recovered.”
He described the assault as unprovoked and called on the federal government to urgently address the persistent attacks by armed groups in the region.
The Benue attack is part of a broader wave of violence that disrupted Easter celebrations across parts of northern Nigeria.
In Kaduna State, gunmen reportedly attacked two churches in Ariko village, killing five worshippers and abducting several others, who were later rescued by security operatives.
Similarly, in Katsina State, a police officer was killed during separate bandit attacks in Musawa and Matazu areas, while in Borno State, suspected insurgents launched attacks on communities including Chibok, burning homes and displacing residents.
The series of coordinated attacks has raised fresh concerns over security challenges in the country, particularly during festive periods.
