Amnesty International Accuses Tinubu Administration of Systematic Negligence Following Fatal Easter Sunday Assault in Benue State

Amnesty International condemns the 2026 Mbalom attack that killed 17 people, citing a consistent failure by the Tinubu administration to protect Benue residents.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

A Deadly Interruption to Holiday Observances

The Mbalom community in the Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State became the site of a mass casualty event on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. Armed men launched a coordinated invasion of the village while residents were participating in holiday celebrations, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 individuals. Beyond those killed, dozens of people sustained severe injuries as the assailants razed local homes and businesses, forcing a panicked exodus into the surrounding bush.

Rights Group Denounces Government Inaction

In a formal statement released on Monday, Amnesty International condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu for what it described as a consistent failure to secure the region. The rights organization argued that the frequency of these attacks has effectively stripped the people of Benue State of their fundamental rights, including the right to life, physical integrity, and freedom of movement. According to the group, the Nigerian authorities have repeatedly neglected their duty to prevent the escalating cycle of violence.

The Growing Crisis of Internal Displacement

The humanitarian impact of the violence in Benue State has reached a critical threshold, with Amnesty International reporting that more than 500,000 residents are now internally displaced. These individuals are currently living in dire conditions, having been uprooted by the persistent threat of armed groups. The latest assault in Mbalom has only added to this figure, leaving numerous families separated as they continue to search for relatives who went missing during the chaos of the Sunday morning raid.