Makurdi, Benue State – June 26, 2024 – Amnesty International Nigeria has raised an alarm over the devastating impact of rampant insecurity on the right to life, food security, and education in Benue State. At a photo exhibition and press conference held yesterday in Makurdi, the organization highlighted the dire situation facing thousands of children who are at risk of missing out on education due to displacement.

Recent investigations by Amnesty International reveal that over 2,600 individuals have been killed in the past year, with more than 50 rural communities in Benue State experiencing a total of 135 attacks. The widespread violence has affected 18 out of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state, leading to significant displacement, abductions, and cases of rape.

Particularly hard-hit are the farming populations in Agatu, Guma, and Gwer West, where over 80 percent of residents have been displaced. These communities now have no access to their farmland or means of livelihood, exacerbating the region’s food security crisis.

Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Nigerian authorities to urgently address the deadly attacks on rural communities in Benue State. The organization demands that those responsible for these atrocities be brought to justice through fair trials. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for immediate support for the thousands of displaced individuals living in IDP camps, ensuring they receive adequate food, water, and other necessities.

The Benue State government and the Federal Government of Nigeria must develop and implement a comprehensive plan to secure the ransacked communities, enabling displaced people to return to their homes and rebuild their lives.