Benue Residents Raise Alarm Over Killings and Rights Violations

Residents and community representatives in Benue State voiced their concerns regarding alleged killings and rights violations in rural areas during a workshop held on Sunday in Makurdi. The workshop was organized by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to empower community members with knowledge on rights protection, engagement with security agencies, and accountability promotion.

Participants shared troubling experiences, including alleged efforts to silence communities from speaking out about killings and the imposition of high levies on farm produce amid economic hardship. They also raised issues regarding internally displaced persons (IDPs), claiming that relief materials intended for them were sometimes diverted, resulting in inadequate food supplies for those in need.

Folashade Arigbabu, a Senior Programme Officer at SERAP, emphasized the importance of communities understanding their rights and the necessity of demanding accountability from government and security agencies.