By Rafiyat Sadiq
The United Nations has strongly condemned the recent mass killings in Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria, calling for swift justice and protection of civilians.
In a statement delivered at the UN Headquarters in New York, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, speaking on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed grave concern over the scale and brutality of the attack, which reportedly left over 150 people dead.
“The Secretary-General condemns the killing of innocent civilians in Nigeria and hopes that those responsible for this violence will be identified and brought to justice. We are monitoring the situation closely,” Haq told reporters.
Rising Toll and Displacement
According to local officials and humanitarian groups, heavily armed men suspected to be herdsmen stormed Yelewata late Friday night into the early hours of Saturday, unleashing gunfire, torching homes, and killing scores of residents. Amnesty International and local authorities confirmed that more than 100 people were killed, dozens remain missing, and hundreds sustained injuries.
Eyewitness and emergency responders accounts revealed that many victims were internally displaced persons who had fled previous attacks and sought refuge in the village.
Federal And State Response
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during a condolence visit to the state, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. He assured Benue residents that the federal government is taking concrete steps to address the security crisis.
In a meeting with traditional rulers and top state officials, President Tinubu responded to an appeal by the Tor Tiv and called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead local peace-building initiatives, including blood donation drives for the injured.
“This is not the Nigeria we want. The value of human life is greater than that of any cattle. We are here to govern, not to bury,” Tinubu said, reaffirming his commitment to peace-building and justice.
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Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, during the president’s condolence visit, described the killings as “a calculated attempt to displace communities from their ancestral lands.” He disclosed that 151 people had so far been confirmed dead in the attack and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring security and enabling the safe return of displaced persons.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that normalcy is restored, and our people can return to their homes in safety,” Alia said.
A State Under Siege
Benue State has remained one of the hardest-hit regions in Nigeria’s ongoing conflict between farming communities and suspected armed herders. Since 2023, multiple attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements across Guma, Logo, Gwer West, and other local government areas.
The National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed that coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen have triggered a humanitarian crisis in Benue State, with 6,527 people displaced, including lactating mothers, pregnant women, and elderly persons.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.