Amnesty International has criticised Nigerian authorities over the killing of at least 17 people in Mbalom, accusing the government of failing to protect residents from repeated violence.

In a statement released on Monday, the organisation said armed attackers stormed the village on Sunday during Easter festivities, killing several residents, injuring many others, and setting homes and shops ablaze.

“Families are still searching for those missing since the attack,” Amnesty International said, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of unchecked violence in the state.

The group further revealed that more than 500,000 people have been displaced by similar attacks across Benue State, with many now living in overcrowded camps lacking basic necessities such as clean water, food, healthcare, and sanitation.

“The Nigerian authorities have failed the people of Benue State again and again,” Amnesty International said.

“Frequent attacks by gunmen have deprived thousands of people of their rights to life, physical integrity, liberty, freedom of movement and access to livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command reported a lower death toll, confirming that nine bodies were recovered from Mbatsada, a settlement within Mbalom.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, security operatives were dispatched to the area after receiving a distress call.

“A combined team of security personnel conducted a thorough search of the affected community, during which nine corpses were recovered and evacuated to the General Hospital, Aliade,” the statement said.

Police authorities stated that suspected armed herdsmen were behind the assault, adding that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details surrounding the incident.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident followed heightened tensions within the locality,” the command said, noting that tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force, have been deployed to restore calm and pursue the perpetrators.

Despite the official account, residents argue that the number of casualties is significantly higher than what has been reported.

The latest attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents in rural parts of Benue, where locals have repeatedly accused authorities of delayed response and insufficient protection.

Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations and the Area Commander in Gboko, are currently on ground overseeing security operations.

The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, called on residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with useful information, assuring that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.