The intensity of attacks on Benue communities by suspected herdsmen took a turn for the worse last Saturday with the killing of no fewer than 200 inhabitants of Yelwata, a community at the border between Benue and Nassarawa states situated in Guma Local Government Area.

Like other Tiv communities, the inhabitants of Yelwata are predominantly farmers. The rich and fertile land is good for cultivation of different kinds of crops, including maize, rice, millet, yams and cassava, to mention a few.

A farmer in Yelwata, Thomas Iorya, who currently lives in a temporary camp opened for displaced persons at the International Market, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, told our correspondent that Yelwata came into existence more than 100 years ago.

“Our great grandfathers lived in this town and gave birth to us. So, this is our ancestral home. We have nowhere else to go,” he said as he recalled the bloody incident reckoned to have claimed hundreds of lives.

Orya said: “On that very day of the attack, it was raining heavily, and shortly after the downpour, at about 11 pm, I heard sounds of sporadic gunshots coming from all directions.

“Most of the people in Yelwata community are internally displaced persons (IDPs) from other Tiv communities in Nassarawa State, who were driven away by militia herdsmen and forced to camp in Yelwata.

“I was lucky because that very night, I slept at LEA Primary School in Yelwata. The place is under the watch of soldiers, and that was what save me as 12 of my relations were brutally killed.

“The gunmen, some of whom were in army camouflage, set houses on fire, burning the inhabitants, including children aged between five and six, beyond recognition.”

Attributing his survival to the grace of God, Orya said: “I give God the glory for my survival. But the unfortunate incident is that I lost 12 of my relations in the attack.”

He, however, said he was not happy staying in an IDP camp in Makurdi. Hence he urged government at state and federal levels to provide him and his people adequate security so they could return to their ancestral homes and farm to feed themselves.

Orya said even before the attack last Saturday, he had a premonition that herdsmen were coming to attack his people and he was restless.

“The number of soldiers, policemen and Civil Defence Corps members on ground was not enough to protect Yelewata community. If we have enough security, such an attack would not have occurred, and I pray that God will never allow such attack and killings again,” he said.

But Orya was not alone. Another survivor, Mrs. Stella Anshe, a 40-year-old housewife, has been living in the emergency IDPs camp provided by Governor Hyacinth Alia for victims of Yelwata killings since last Saturday.

Recalling the bloody event that culminated in her present condition, she said: “On that Saturday night of herdsmen attack, we were all fast asleep after a heavy downpour.

“Then at about 10.30pm, we started hearing gunshots from the direction of the warehouse where IDPs from other communities had gathered themselves to sleep.

“The gunmen must have gotten information about people sleeping in the warehouse. They shot and killed almost everyone that slept inside the warehouse and thereafter set the house ablaze.”

Mrs. Ashe, who claimed to have lost 14 direct relations in the attack, recalled how children, women and old men were all gruesomely shot and killed. She also expressed concern over the poor conditions of the IDPs in the camp and called on Government agencies responsible for humanitarian services to quickly intervene to save survivors of the attack from hunger.

Asked how she escaped the attacks, she said: “I ran out of my house with other relatives, and the risk paid off.”

Forty-two-year-old Felix Kpum and Doko Ternenge Vitalis, who also shared similar tales, confirmed that “on the day of the attack, it was raining and most people were inside their houses.

“The gunmen stormed the community with sophisticated weapons at about 11pm, carrying with them petrol which they poured on houses before setting them ablaze.

“In the melee that ensued, those who attempted to escape were gunned down and cut with machetes.

The duo of Kpum and Vitalis also said they managed to escape because they ran out of their house and took to their heels.

Doko Vitalis said: “While I am currently at the camp, my pregnant wife is on admission at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, because after running and trekking many miles, she bled a lot and had to be kept under examination.”

Mrs. Mnenge Uge, who was seen feeding a sick baby of between one and two years with garri at about 8am at the Makurdi International Market camp, said her husband and two children were missing, but she was yet to confirm if he was killed in the attacks.

Her baby was obviously malnourished as a result of lack of food.

Our correspondent gathered that there are about 5,000 persons in the camp because the entire survivors in Yelwata killings had been moved to the temporary camp in Makurdi.

The number may be more as more victims were still coming into the camp on Friday. The Nation observed that the camp’s environment was very neat, but the IDPs were more in number than the market could accommodate.

Humanitarian agencies like UNICEF and Red Cross Society have set up their offices at the camp to help the victims with essential services.

While there was anxiety on the part of the IDPs, the timely intervention of Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia calmed the situation as the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Aondowase Kunde, in company of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, brought truckloads of relief materials.

But how long would the IDPs remain at the camp, especially now that the rains have set in for farmers to go back to the land? This is the question on the mind of every IDP, which only government can answer.

Governor Alia condemns massacre

Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has condemned in strong terms the attacks and massacre of innocent citizens at Yelwata by suspected criminal herders, saying nothing should warrant the taking of life.

The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode, who visited the scene of the heinous act earlier on the directives of Governor Alia, delivered the message, saying the governor was not resting on his oars in ensuring that the state experiences peace.

He said: “Governor Hyacinth Alia acknowledges and shares in your pains and grief caused by the attacks on your community by criminal elements suspected to be armed herdsmen.

“The state government is consistently engaging with federal security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen security interventions and provide lasting solutions to these persistent attacks.

“We assure citizens that more tactical teams have started arriving in Benue from the Federal Government and additional security deployments are being arranged for vulnerable areas.

“Response squad teams are also deployed and will be in Benue from Sunday. Strategic community dialogues are ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing.

“The state joint operations units are also being strengthened, and government will not relent in its utmost commitment to defending the lives and properties of all residents.

“In the spirit of peace and unity, we call on religious, traditional and political leaders across the state to sensitize and guide the youths under their influence against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that may spiral out of control.

“We appeal to the public to make use of official communication channels to report any suspicious activities and to stay informed through credible sources.

“Benue State remains committed to justice, peace, and security for all.”

Benue CP confirms two bandits neutralised, one arrested

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, has disclosed that two of the bandits responsible for the deadly attack on Yelwata community were neutralised by security forces during a confrontation.

Another suspect, he said, was arrested and was providing valuable information to the police.

CP Ifeanyi made this known while addressing journalists at the Police Command headquarters in Makurdi on Thursday.

Providing an update on the attack, he reassured residents of ongoing efforts to prevent a reoccurrence.

While local sources reported more than 200 casualties in the massacre, CP Ifeanyi confirmed 47 deaths, acknowledging the devastating impact of the attack.

He revealed that the bandits had planned to overrun the community but were repelled by the swift intervention of Police Tactical Teams and other security operatives deployed in the area.

“The situation in Yelwata is now under control,” the CP stated, adding that the Inspector General of Police had deployed additional personnel to hotspots across the state to bolster security and avert future attacks.

CP Ifeanyi reiterated the commitment of the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and protect lives and property across Benue State.

Meanwhile, Yelwata, the community where the incident occurred has been turned into a Mecca of sort as many prominent Nigerians have visited the community.

At the last count, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse and former Governors Samuel Ortom and Gabriel Suswam, have all visited Yelewata on condolences.

The mood around Yelwata community is sober and pensive while security has been beefed up around those who are still living in Yelwata. However, half of the community’s population has moved to temporary IDPs camp at the International Market in Makurdi.

There has also heavy presence of security agents within and around Yelwata since the attack.

Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) yesterday declared nine days of national prayer for the country on account of the Benue killings.

The CBCN, in a statement signed by its President and Archbishop of Owerri, the Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, and the Secretary, the Most Rev. Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun, condemned the spate of insecurity in the country.

The renewed wave of killings in Benue State and other parts of our country continues to wound our collective spirit,” they said.

Continuing, the bishops said: “It is our fervent hope and prayer that we will not have to issue sorrowful statements again.

“We commend all individuals, communities and organisations who continue to speak out against these heinous crimes.

“We are also grateful to our brother Bishops who have already called for prayers in response.

“In union with these efforts, we now call on all Catholics in Nigeria and all people of goodwill to observe a nine-day prayer, beginning from Saturday, 21 June 2025.

“Each day, we ask individuals, families, parishes and communities to recite the Rosary, followed by the Prayer for Nigeria in Distress.

“On the final day, Sunday, 29 June 2025, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Mass should be offered across all dioceses and parishes for peace and healing in Nigeria, the repose of the dead, the comfort of victims, divine protection, and for the conversion of those responsible for the barbaric massacre of unarmed fellow citizens, including women and children.

“To our suffering brothers and sisters in Benue State and across Nigeria wounded by violence, we assure you that the Church stands with you.

“As a concrete sign of our support, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has already provided emergency assistance to some affected communities, and a CBCN delegation will soon pay them a solidarity visit.

“We ardently pray that the day will soon come when such sorrowful interventions will no longer be necessary, and our voices may instead rise in thanksgiving for a land healed and at peace.”

In their own reaction to the wave of killings, Fulani leaders from the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State said yesterday that the only way to put an end to the problem was for the federal and state government to revive the nomadic school programme.

They advised Fulani cattle breeders and pastoralists to live in peace and harmony with other Nigerians.

They spoke in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital during a stakeholders engagement organised by the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization (FUDECO), and tagged “Consolidating The Outcomes of The IDRC-SPARC GES Research Findings On The Economic Empowerment of Pastoralist Women in Nasarawa State.”

Speaking at the event, the Nasarawa State Chairman of FUDECO, Muhammad Habib Hussaini, expressed deep concerns over the persistent disagreements between farmers and herders in several states of the country, and called on the government at all levels to work towards peace building in rural communities.

Hussaini, who spoke for the Fulani leaders, said reviving the abandoned nomadic education programme would go a long way in educating cattle breeders and pastoralists in the rural areas.

He said lack of education was a major cause of the lingering conflicts.

“Most of the things happening in our pastoralist communities can be traced to ignorance, so promoting Nomadic education is very important,” he said.

He added: “We want the children of Pastoralists to be educated and enlightened. This will enable them understand the dangers of engaging themselves in any form of crisis in the society.”

Works Minister apologises to Tinubu, Nigerians over collapsed Lafia-Makurdi highway bridge

Works Minister David Umahi yesterday apologised to President Tinubu and Nigerians over the disruption caused by flooding on the recently completed Lafia-Makurdi highway.

He described the incident as an embarrassment resulting from the negligence of the road concessionaire.

Umahi, who praised the President for his fatherly intervention over the recent events in Benue State, noted that his visit had brought reassurance and hope to the people.

“We apologise very profusely to Mr. President and Nigerians for the embarrassment this unfortunate incident caused him and Nigerians.

“We also commend Mr. President very highly for his fatherly role in Benue State.

“His visit there has made a lot of impact on the lives of the people of Benue State and everyone living in that place.

“With God on his side, Benue people shall see sustainable peace and progress,” said.

The minister’s media aide, Uchenna Orji, said the minister had since directed the immediate deployment of officials from the Federal Ministry of Works and China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company, the firm responsible for the Highways Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), to the affected section of the road.

The intervention followed flooding on June 18, which disrupted traffic due to debris clogging an existing culvert.

The Minister said that both the Ministry and the concessionaire teams cleared the blockage and restored the section, but warned that a long-term solution must now be implemented.

He tasked the company with identifying the root cause of the flooding and taking decisive steps to prevent recurrence.

“We must avoid a repeat of such an incident on a tolled and completed road. The concessionaire is responsible for maintaining the carriageway, and they must do so diligently,” he said.

In a separate meeting with Citibank Nigeria executives, Umahi sought private sector support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Legacy Projects, four major infrastructure initiatives aimed at economic revitalization.

He commended the President’s reform efforts, which he said were attracting international investor confidence while emphasising that partnerships are crucial to realising the administration’s infrastructure goals and delivering long-term benefits to Nigerians.

Citibank’s Managing Director, Nneka Enwereji, expressed the bank’s interest in supporting impactful infrastructure projects in Nigeria and praised the administration’s efforts to improve transparency and infrastructure delivery.

Again, gunmen kill 13 persons, injure scores in Plateau

Gunmen have reportedly launched another deadly attack on innocent villagers, killing 13 persons in Juwan village of Tangur District in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.

According to eyewitnesses, the victims were mostly women and children.

Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos Local Government Area, Mr. Kefas Mallai, confirmed the killings to newsmen in Jos yesterday.

“The attack occurred around 8.30 pm on Thursday night,” he said.

“People were going about peacefully when suddenly, gunmen appeared and started shooting.

“The men tried to respond but could not defend themselves. Some had to hide.

“The women and children, being more vulnerable, were mostly the ones killed.”

Mallai added: “Thirteen bodies were found this morning.

“They didn’t burn any house; they were just shooting.

“Anyone vulnerable they came across was targeted.”

The Executive Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Council, Hon. Amalau Samuel Amalau, confirmed the sad incident in an interview with our correspondent.

He said the attackers came late at night and started killing innocent persons.

“Some of the victims are receiving treatment in different hospitals,” he added.

Mallai noted that security personnel were alerted of the attack but, unfortunately, they arrived after the perpetrators had fled the scene.

Efforts made to reach security operatives for more details had yielded no result at the time of filing this report. (The Nation)