Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has confirmed the killing of 59 people in a brutal attack on Yelewata, a border community near Nasarawa State. The assault, allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen, also claimed the lives of military and civil defense personnel who fought to protect residents.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House on Sunday, Alia revealed that the death toll was based on physical headcounts conducted by security agencies in collaboration with victims' families. He acknowledged Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for sharing critical intelligence on the attacks, which also left one woman dead on the Nasarawa side.
The governor made these disclosures while receiving a report
from a panel investigating militia activities in the Sankera region. He vowed
to forward the findings to the appropriate authorities and ensure those
implicated face justice to restore peace in the area.
Pope Condemns "Terrible Massacre," Calls for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the killings, labeling
the incident a "terrible massacre" where displaced civilians were
murdered with "extreme cruelty." During his Sunday Angelus prayer at
the Vatican, the pontiff expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s escalating
violence and the plight of affected communities. He prayed for "security,
justice, and peace" in Nigeria, particularly for Benue’s rural Christian
communities, whom he described as "relentless victims of violence."
Youths Protest, Tinubu Orders Security Intervention
The attack, which occurred late Friday night, sparked outrage among Benue youths, who staged a protest at Makurdi’s Wurukum roundabout on Sunday. Demonstrators, joined by social media activist Martin Otse (aka VeryDarkMan), demanded urgent government action to halt the bloodshed.
In response, President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to enforce measures ensuring lasting peace in Benue. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated that intelligence officials, police, and military operatives have been deployed to oversee security operations and restore order in the state.
This latest violence underscores the persistent insecurity
in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where clashes between herders and farming communities
continue to claim lives and displace thousands. Authorities face mounting
pressure to implement lasting solutions to the crisis.