ICYMI: 2,600 killed, 12,369 displaced in Benue in one year, says Amnesty

Amnesty International says 2,600 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Benue state in armed attacks in 50 communities in the last one year.

Addressing a press conference in Makurdi, the capital of Benue, on Wednesday, Babara Magaji, Amnesty International programme manager in Nigeria, said 12,369 individuals were also displaced due to the attacks.

There has been a lingering farmer-herder crisis in the southern part of Benue over the years, apart from pockets of skirmishes between communities in that area.

Magaji said 149 people sustained injuries in the attacks.

“These attacks are significantly affecting food security and livelihoods because the affected communities are farmers, and displacement makes them unable to carry out any farming activity,” she said.

“As a result of the attacks, a total of 12,369 individuals from 2,105 households were displaced from their homes, forcing them to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.

“At least 149 injuries were reported because of the attacks. According to the ministry of education, Benue teaching service board, at least 55 schools have been destroyed by armed attackers or closed down due to insecurity, leaving hundreds of children out of school.

“Over 80 percent of farming activities in Agatu Gomer Gwer west have been displaced, with no access to farmland or any means of livelihood.”