The death of at least ten persons in Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area, Benue State, has been denounced by Amnesty International, which characterizes the event as a result of Nigerian authorities’ persistent inability to safeguard citizens.
The group said that while families are still looking for missing people, gunmen broke into the hamlet on Sunday during Easter celebrations, killing locals, injuring dozens, and burning homes and shops.
“Gunmen invaded the village on Sunday while Easter celebrations were ongoing, leaving dozens of people severely injured,” the organization stated in a statement released on Monday through its official account.
“Apart from killing people, the gunmen also set many homes and shops on fire,” it continued, emphasizing that the incident is indicative of a larger pattern of instability in the state.
“The Nigerian authorities have failed the people of Benue State again and again,” the group said, adding that “frequent attacks by gunmen have deprived thousands of people of their rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, freedom of movement and access to livelihoods.”
More than 500,000 people have been displaced throughout the state, with many of them residing in camps with poor access to food, water, sanitary facilities, and medical treatment.
Easter celebrations in northern Nigeria were marred by a broader wave of violence, which included the attack in Mbalom.
According to reports, suspected armed herders in Benue State raided many settlements in the Gwer East Local Government Area, including Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana, murdering locals and causing many to escape.
The invasion and attacks occurred yesterday between 5 and 6 p.m., according to Timothy Adi, Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area. So far, nine bodies have been found—seven today and two yesterday.
He urged for federal assistance to address the actions of armed groups and characterized the attack as unprovoked.
Other states have reported similar situations.
Five worshippers were killed and thirty-one others were kidnapped when gunmen stormed two churches in Ariko Village, Kaduna State. The victims were later freed by the military.
In Borno State, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked communities in Chibok and other places, destroying homes and forcing civilians to flee, while in Katsina State, a police officer was killed during bandit raids in the Musawa and Matazu districts.
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