At least 100 people have died in a brutal gun attack in a village in north-central Nigeria, according to Amnesty International. The attack took place in Yelewata, a community in the Guma area of Benue state, between Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Amnesty’s Nigeria branch reported that many families were trapped and burned in their homes during the assault. The group stated that numerous bodies were burned beyond recognition. In addition to the fatalities, hundreds of people sustained injuries and lacked proper medical care, while dozens remain unaccounted for.
A police spokesperson confirmed that an attack occurred in Yelewata but did not provide details on the death toll. Amnesty International highlighted a worrying trend of escalating violence in Benue state, where gunmen have been carrying out attacks with little fear of repercussions. The organization criticized the Nigerian government’s failure to address the violence, warning that without immediate action, more lives could be lost.
This incident follows a series of violent attacks in the region. Last month, gunmen, believed to be herders, killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue. Earlier in April, at least 40 people were killed in a neighboring state.
Benue state is located in Nigeria’s middle belt, a region where conflicts often arise between predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian farmers over land and water access. Farmers accuse herders, mainly of Fulani descent, of destroying crops while grazing their livestock. Herders, on the other hand, argue that the lands are traditional grazing routes established by law long ago.
The ongoing violence in Nigeria’s northern regions highlights the urgent need for effective measures to ensure safety and security for local communities.