Amnesty International condemns the killing of at least 33 people by gunmen in a two-day attack on Adabo and Tse Gwebe Communities in Utange Council Ward in Katsina-Ala LGA and Azege community in Tombo Mbaya in Logo LGA Benue State.
The killings happened in the early hours of Sunday 24 and Monday 25, November 2024 when gunmen numbering in their hundreds stormed these communities and went on rampage of violence.
Residents of Azege had been living in fear due to insistent attacks in their community. Feeling unsafe to remain in their homes overnight, many had developed a routine of seeking refuge in the nearby community of Tsebi, which they believed to be relatively safer. Each evening, they would leave Azege to spend the night in Tsebi, only to return to their village in the morning.
In the early hours of Sunday 24 November, as some residents were making their way back to Azege and others were heading to church, they were ambushed by the assailants. The attack claimed the lives of over 23 people, including women and children. Several individuals sustained injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment at the Primary Health Care facility in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area.
The authorities’ failure to effectively protect lives by ending these attacks, has left many communities in Benue state and many others at the mercy of gunmen, who continuously attack rural communities.
Rural communities in Benue State have witnessed escalating attacks, and kidnappings, and continue to live in fear and uncertainty as armed bandits unleash mayhem on their communities.
The Nigerian authorities must live up to their obligation to protect the lives and properties of all citizens including those in rural communities.
Amnesty International demands an immediate and effective investigation into these attacks and suspected perpetrators must be brought to just justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.
