Local government areas affected include Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande, Apa and Otukpo local government areas respectively
Amnesty International, AI, has disclosed that over 2,000 deaths have been recorded in over 100 attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on about 50 communities in Benue State just between January this year to date.
Programmes Manager, Amnesty International in Nigeria, Babra Magaji who made the disclosure in Makurdi while presenting research findings conducted by the international organization on the dynamics of attacks on communities in Benue and the attendant humanitarian condition of those affected, lamented that over 80 percent of the farming popular have been displaced.
According to the research, local government areas affected include Makurdi, Guma, Agatu, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande, Apa and Otukpo local government areas respectively.
She called on the Nigerian Government to investigate security lapses that warranted such attacks and killings as well as fish out those whose responsibility is to protect lives and property in the affected places for possible punishment, appealing that government should equally pay special attention to how the conflict has affected children.
Governor Alia in a presentation stated that his administration has adopted a systematic approach to ensure the safe return of those displaced back to their ancestral homes.
He further announced that to demonstrate commitment,his administration has adopted durable solutions programme, a strategy which has allowed government to blend its road map with global practices in conflict resolutions, adding that his administration is working with International Organization for Migration, IOM and other development partners to address the humanitarian situation.
According to Governor Alia, his administration has equally intensified cooperation with security formations which efforts have informed the setting up of a naval Base at the river bank to check attackers who use the river bank as entry point, adding that at the moment his administration in line with the renewed hope shelter agenda of Mr president is constructing over 500 temporary housing units at Abagena for the IDPs and expressed optimism that government would sustain advocacy for permanent solutions concerning the humanitarian crisis in the state.