Amnesty International Calls for Investigation After Machete Attack Kills 25 in Nigeria’s Plateau State

At least 25 people lost their lives in a violent machete attack in Bin-Per village, located in Nigeria’s Plateau State. The assailants reportedly moved from house to house during the night, targeting residents, with women and children comprising the majority of victims.

Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the attack as one of the deadliest recent incidents in the region. The human rights group highlighted graphic evidence from the scene, describing entire families slaughtered together, including mothers with their babies tied to their backs.

According to the organisation, blood and bodies were found inside homes and on verandas across the village, underscoring the severity and cruelty of the violence. Amnesty International has urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the security failures that allowed the attack to occur.

Local officials and survivors confirmed the death toll, with some victims succumbing to injuries in hospital. Witnesses described hearing screams and spotting armed men approaching before escaping their homes.

Calls for Enhanced Security and Prevention

The Mwaghavul Youth Movement criticized government security measures, calling for a reassessment of protection strategies in vulnerable communities. They emphasized that repeated attacks causing loss of life and destruction must no longer be treated as routine.

Community leaders stressed the need for proactive interventions to address underlying tensions and prevent further violence in the Mangu local government area.

Context of Conflict in Plateau State

Plateau State has endured prolonged violence rooted in disputes over land, grazing rights, and resources, often involving Fulani nomadic herders and settled farmers. The region faces increasing pressure from climate change and population growth, intensifying competition for land.

Additional factors such as mineral resource conflicts, political disagreements, and religious tensions have further complicated the situation. While some groups frame the violence as religious persecution, government and independent sources dispute this characterization.

The recent attack follows the killing of two herders last week, raising concerns about potential retaliatory violence. Amnesty International questioned the effectiveness of current security policies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, pointing to ongoing insecurity despite official claims of progress.

Victims of the attack were given a mass burial, and many injured are receiving medical care at various hospitals.