Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to launch an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the deadly attack on Otukpo Nobi and Akpachi-Ugboju communities in Benue State, where at least 10 people were killed on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
The human rights organisation said the latest violence has heightened fear and panic across Otukpo Local Government Area and neighbouring communities, stressing that the government must fulfil its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International said the protests that erupted after the attack reflected growing frustration among residents over the recurring killings, kidnappings and insecurity that have continued to devastate communities across Benue State.
According to the organisation, the decision by protesting youths to carry the bodies of victims to the Och’Idoma Palace underscored the depth of public anger and the urgent need for authorities to end the bloodshed.
Amnesty International disclosed that relatives of some of the victims reported that several people remain unaccounted for following the attack, while many others sustained serious injuries.
The rights group noted that persistent attacks on rural communities have left Benue littered with fresh graves and forced thousands of residents into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
It urged the Nigerian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further violence and avert what it described as a worsening humanitarian crisis in the state.
According to Amnesty International, attacks by gunmen have displaced at least 500,000 people in Benue, many of whom are living in overcrowded camps with inadequate access to clean water, sanitation, food and healthcare.
The organisation also called on the government to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are identified, investigated and prosecuted, stressing that accountability remains essential to ending the cycle of violence in the state.
