Amnesty Int’l berates FG over killing of over 80 people in Benue
Amnesty International Nigeria has berated the Federal Government of Nigeria over the recent killing of more than eighty people in Benue State by people believed to be Fulani herdsmen.
In a press release obtained by News Band, entitled “Nigeria: On the killing of over 80 people in Benue“, Amnesty Nigeria express ed worry over “the stunning failure of the authorities to end them and bring suspected perpetrators to justice”.
The human rights watchdog said: “Amnesty International is horrified by the killing of over 80 people in Benue state.
“Incessant killings and the stunning failure of the authorities to end them and bring suspected perpetrators to justice have been and continues to be a threat to the right to life in Nigeria.”
It noted that over 46 people were killed on Wednesday, April 5, and Thursday, April 6, at Umogidi village of Entekpa-Adoka district in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue state.
Also, on Friday, it said, gunmen killed 34 people in an attack on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at LGEA Primary School Mgban, in Nyiev Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Amnesty International, therefore, urged Nigerian authorities to do more than merely condemning these horrifying killings.
“Suspected perpetrators must be promptly brought to justice.
“In addition to the security forces’ failure to heed warnings or respond in time to save lives, the fact that no perpetrators have been brought to justice leaves rural communities feeling completely exposed.
“Nigerian authorities must to do more — to end the alarming escalation of attacks, abductions for ransom and frequent killings which have left people feeling more unsafe across Nigeria,” Amnesty International added.