Monday, June 29, 2026

Gunmen kill over 40 in Benue

In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International lamented the spate of killings in Benue State.

• June 2, 2025
Gunmen
Silhouette of Gunmen used to illustrate the story

At least 43 people were killed as gunmen raided communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State on Sunday.

A publicly listed contact of the Benue State police command confirmed the attacks to Peoples Gazette on Monday.

“Yes, it is confirmed. But I cannot ascertain the number of casualties at the moment,” said an officer who disclosed he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International lamented the spate of killings in Benue State, saying about 85 people had been killed in just one week.

“On Sunday, gunmen invaded two communities in Gwer West and Apa LGA, killing at least 43 people. Gunmen in a convoy attacked Tse Antswam, near Naka town around 7:00 p.m. At exactly the same time, gunmen invaded Edikwu Ankpali,” Amnesty International said.

It added, “Bloodshed in Benue: 85 killed in a week. In barely a week, at least 85 people have been killed in Benue State. Last week, gunmen killed 42 people during gruesome attacks on villages of Gwer West LGA.”

On May 29, Amnesty International had lamented that bandits and gunmen had raided and killed over 10,000 citizens across Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s watch in the past two years.

The human rights organisation ranked Benue and Plateau States as having the highest death tolls as a result of coordinated attacks by bandits and gunmen.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Elon Musk

World

SpaceX: Elon Musk regains trillionaire status

Mr Musk currently owns about 4.8 billion shares in SpaceX.

Jumoke Oduwole

Economy

FG urges states to leverage AfCFTA for growth

The minister described AfCFTA as a key component of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Corps members at orientation camp

NationWide

FG approves NYSC reforms, deployment process, uniforms

Mr Olawande noted the reforms will reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution.

Venezuela Earthquake

World

Venezuela Earthquakes: Man rescued from rubble after four days as death toll rises above 1,700

He was reportedly rescued in La Guaira state, Venezuela’s port region, which was ravaged by the earthquakes.

Obidient Movement

NationWide

Tinubu govt has captured, weaponised judiciary as tool for partisan warfare, Obidient Movement alleges

Mr Tanko slammed the ruling as a deliberate attempt by the ruling APC to frustrate Mr Obi.

Gabriel Martinelli

Sport

World Cup: Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal powers Brazil to round of 16 win over Japan

Brazil will face the winners of the round of 32 tie between Ivory Coast and Norway.