Monday, April 6, 2026 - Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 10 people in Mbalom, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, describing the incident as part of repeated failures by Nigerian authorities to protect residents.
The group said
gunmen invaded the community on Sunday during Easter celebrations, killing
villagers, injuring dozens, and destroying homes and shops, while families
continue to search for missing persons.
In a statement on
Monday via its official handle, the organisation said, “Gunmen invaded the
village on Sunday while Easter celebrations were ongoing, leaving dozens of
people severely injured.”
It added that
“apart from killing people, the gunmen also set many homes and shops on fire,”
stressing that the situation reflects a broader pattern of insecurity in the
state.
The group further
criticised the government’s response, stating, “The Nigerian authorities have
failed the people of Benue State again and again,” and noted 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.”
It added that
more than 500,000 people have been displaced in the state, many living in camps
with limited access to water, sanitation, food, and healthcare.
The attack in
Mbalom is part of a wider wave of violence that disrupted Easter celebrations
across northern Nigeria.
In Benue State,
suspected armed herders reportedly attacked multiple communities in Gwer East
Local Government Area, including Mbalom, Mbatsada, and Agana, killing residents
and forcing many to flee.
The Chairman of
Gwer West Local Government Area, Timothy Adi, confirmed the incident, stating,
“The invasion and attacks happened yesterday between 5 pm and 6 pm. Nine
corpses have so far been recovered, two yesterday and seven today.”
He described the
attack as unprovoked and called for federal intervention to address the
activities of armed groups.
Similar incidents
were recorded in other states.
In Kaduna State,
gunmen attacked two churches in Ariko Village, killing five worshippers and
abducting 31 others, who were later rescued by troops.
In Katsina State,
a police officer was killed during bandit attacks in Musawa and Matazu areas,
while in Borno State, suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked communities in
Chibok and other locations, burning homes and displacing residents.
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