By Odita Sunday
The latest killing of 11 people in Ayilamo, Benue State, has renewed calls for greater accountability over the state’s worsening security situation, with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) demanding the resignation of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The police confirmed that seven civilians and four mobile police officers were killed when gunmen attacked Ayilamo in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area, between Thursday night, September 10, and the early hours of Friday, September 11, 2026.
The slain officers were identified as ASP Paul Ina; Inspectors Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 12th September 2026, by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), HURIWA accused the Alia administration of failing to adequately protect residents despite repeated attacks on communities across the state.
The rights group said the latest attack was another painful reminder of what it described as the growing vulnerability of communities in Benue, where residents have continued to face killings, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.
HURIWA condemned the Ayilamo attack and called for a full investigation to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The association also demanded accountability for what it described as repeated failures that have allowed armed groups to attack communities and operate with apparent impunity.
To underline the scale of the crisis, HURIWA cited an Amnesty International report from May 2025 which said at least 6,896 people had been killed in Benue since the beginning of the Tinubu administration. The organisation also reported that all 23 local government areas of the state had experienced attacks and that more than 200 villages had been sacked.
HURIWA further recalled the June 2025 attack on Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, where more than 100 people were reportedly killed and thousands forced from their homes. It said Amnesty International later reported that more than 500,000 people had been displaced across Benue.
The group said the continuing violence could not be treated as an ordinary security challenge and urged authorities to take stronger action to protect communities.
HURIWA also recalled concerns repeatedly raised by Catholic leaders and other Benue stakeholders, including during engagements with United States lawmakers, over the killings and insecurity in the state.
The association expressed concern over what it described as attempts by political authorities to minimise or deny the severity of attacks on vulnerable communities, insisting that Nigeria must not become accustomed to mass killings and the displacement of rural residents.
It therefore called on Governor Alia to accept responsibility for what it described as his administration’s security failures and resign if he could no longer guarantee the protection of the people of Benue.
HURIWA also urged President Bola Tinubu to strengthen security operations in the state, protect vulnerable communities and ensure that those responsible for the attacks and their alleged sponsors are prosecuted.
The association maintained that Nigerians have the right to demand accountability from elected officials whose constitutional responsibilities include the protection of lives and property.
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