The farming community of Yelewata in Benue State, situated along the Abuja-Makurdi highway, was devastated in a horrific attack by suspected armed herdsmen on the night of June 13 into the early hours of June 14, 2025. Over 300 people were killed, making it the deadliest massacre in recent memory for the state. Homes, farmlands, and stores were set ablaze, leaving survivors shattered and the once peaceful town engulfed in grief.
Eyewitnesses described the night as a scene of war, with gunfire, burning buildings, and the chilling screams of children being hacked, shot, or burnt alive. Elder Amos, a survivor, recounted escaping with only one son while losing his wife and other children. The attack was reportedly premeditated, following rising tensions between local farmers and herders, exacerbated by a recent directive from traditional rulers ordering herders to vacate the land by the end of May a warning that went unheeded.
Residents had taken precautions by relocating to schools, churches, and market stores for safety, but the attackers targeted these crowded places, intensifying the death toll. The herdsmen divided into groups, distracting defenders at the primary school and church while launching a deadly assault on the new market area.
The official death toll announced by Governor Hyacinth Alia was 59, a figure widely rejected by locals who insist the true number exceeds 300. Youth leader Samson stated, “If anyone tells you it’s 59, they’re lying. A family here lost over 33 people. Different families lost 20, 30 members each.” Franc Utoo, a lawyer and native of Yelewata, who lost over 33 relatives, condemned the government’s underreporting and the slow response to the tragedy.
President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman described the killings as “reprisal attacks,” a characterization that angered survivors and activists who argue that innocent civilians were targeted without justification. Utoo criticized the presidential statement for failing to call for the arrest of perpetrators or offer relief to victims, describing it as “the most unfortunate statement” he had seen.
The community’s pain was compounded by the delayed and muted response from state officials. Governor Alia reportedly waited over 48 hours before commenting, and security forces quickly dispersed protests by angry youths demanding justice. Survivors continue to bury the dead amid lingering smoke and destruction, with many questioning whether Yelewata can ever recover from such a catastrophic loss.
The massacre has drawn national and international condemnation, including from Pope Leo XIV, who called for justice and peace for Nigeria’s rural Christian communities. The names of many victims, including promising young pharmacist Matthew Iormba and numerous children, have been documented, each representing a life and legacy brutally cut short.
Yelewata’s tragedy highlights the urgent need for effective security measures and genuine reconciliation efforts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where herder-farmer conflicts continue to claim innocent lives. Without decisive action, communities like Yelewata remain vulnerable to further violence and devastation.
Culled from Dailypost.ng
