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Impunity and Violence in Benue and Plateau States

Published by admin on May 30th, 2025.

Impunity and Violence in Benue and Plateau States

The recent assaults in Benue and Plateau states have been marked by extreme brutality. On April 3rd, a particularly savage attack occurred in the Bokkos local government area of Plateau state, where numerous individuals—including children and entire families—were mercilessly killed. In Benue state, the attackers went beyond killing, deliberately targeting and destroying vital community infrastructure such as boreholes, health clinics, and schools. Amnesty International’s investigations into incidents in Ukum and Logo local government areas revealed that attackers also demolished grain stores and places of worship.

Research by Amnesty International indicates that all 23 local government areas in Benue state have experienced such violent incidents, with Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Gwer West, Gwer East, Apa, and Agatu bearing the brunt of frequent attacks. In total, over 148 villages across seven local governments in Benue have been razed by armed groups.

These relentless attacks have forced a significant displacement crisis, with approximately 450,000 people recorded as internally displaced within the state.

In Plateau state, the situation is similarly dire. Armed herders have executed at least 38 attacks, while bandits have burned down more than 43 villages in four local government areas. From March 27 to April 2, 2025, coordinated assaults targeted five communities—Daffo, Gwande, Hurti, Manguna, and Ruwi—in Bokkos local government. Over the past two years, 167 rural settlements across Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Jos East, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, and Wase have suffered attacks.

As a consequence, around 65,000 people in Plateau have been displaced internally. Alarmingly, some communities in both Benue and Plateau have faced repeated displacement, with attacks even extending to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and schools sheltering them.