Amnesty International condemns Benue killings, faults FG's response
Amnesty International has condemned the killing of more than 100 people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to prevent escalating violence in the region.
The attack occurred from late Friday into the early hours of Saturday, June 14, 2025, when gunmen invaded the community, killing scores and injuring many others. Amnesty International, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, described the government’s response to the violence as ineffective and insufficient.
“The horrifying killing of over 100 people by gunmen that invaded Yelewata shows the security measures government claims to be implementing in the state are not working,” the organization stated.
According to Amnesty, eyewitness accounts and information gathered from the affected area indicate that several victims were burned alive after being locked in their homes. The group also reported that many residents are still unaccounted for, while those injured are struggling to access medical attention.
“Amnesty International has been documenting the alarming escalation of attacks across Benue State where gunmen have been on a killing spree with utter impunity,” the group said.
It added that the violence was not only claiming lives but also displacing communities and threatening agricultural productivity in the region. “The continued violence in Benue is forcing people to flee their homes and may lead to food shortages since many of the victims are farmers,” Amnesty noted.
The organization called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to stop the killings, ensure the protection of civilians, and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
“The Nigerian authorities’ failure to stem the violence is costing people’s lives and livelihoods, and without immediate action, many more lives may be lost,” the group warned.
As of Sunday morning, no official statement had been issued by security agencies regarding the number of casualties or arrests related to the Yelewata attack.
