Amnesty International has urged the Nigerian authorities to launch an independent and impartial investigation into the deadly attack on Otukpo Nobi and Akpachi-Ugboju communities in Benue State, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 10 people.
The human rights organisation made the call following the attack on Sunday, July 12, 2026, which sparked fear and panic across Otukpo Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Amnesty stressed that the government has a responsibility to protect citizens and ensure that those responsible for the violence are brought to justice.
“The Nigerian authorities must carry out an independent, impartial and effective investigation into the deadly Sunday, 12 July, 2026 attack on Otukpo Nobi and Akpachi-Ugboju, Benue State, in which at least 10 people were killed,” the organisation stated.
The group noted that protests by youths after the incident reflected growing anger and frustration over repeated attacks and kidnappings in Benue State.
According to Amnesty, the decision by protesters to carry the bodies of victims to the Och’Idoma Palace highlighted the urgent need for authorities to end the persistent bloodshed.
The organisation disclosed that some families of victims reported that several people are still missing after the attack, while many others sustained serious injuries.
Amnesty warned that continued attacks on rural communities have worsened the humanitarian crisis in the state, leaving behind “fresh graves and several internally displaced persons’ camps.”
It called on the government to take immediate steps to protect civilians and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
“The Nigerian authorities must take urgent steps to protect lives and avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Benue, where attacks by gunmen have displaced at least 500,000 people, many of whom are languishing in squalid camps without access to sufficient water, poor sanitation, food and healthcare,” Amnesty said.
The organisation further demanded accountability, urging security agencies to prioritise the arrest and prosecution of suspected perpetrators of the attacks.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.