Thousands took to the streets in Benue State, Nigeria, this week after gunmen massacred over 100 villagers in Yelewata, with protesters clashing with police and calling on President Tinubu to end the cycle of violence.
At a Glance
- Armed attackers killed between 100 and 150 people in Yelewata, Benue State
- Villagers were burned in homes and markets, with widespread destruction of food supplies
- Around 3,000 displaced survivors are receiving emergency aid
- Police fired tear gas at demonstrators in Makurdi demanding government action
- Ongoing farmer-herder violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt continues to claim lives
Massacre in Yelewata
At least 100 people were killed when armed gunmen raided the Yelewata community in Benue on Friday night. Survivors and local leaders estimate the death toll may now exceed 150, as burned bodies are still being recovered.
The attackers torched homes and the community market, destroying months of food reserves. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of entire families burned alive. The attack, suspected to be carried out by armed herders, is one of the deadliest in Benue this year.
Protests Erupt in Makurdi
Outraged residents marched in Makurdi this week, demanding action from Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia and President Tinubu. Police fired tear gas after protesters blocked major roads and refused orders to disperse.
Local civil society groups and victims’ families accused the government of failing to provide adequate security in rural communities. Displaced villagers, now numbering about 3,000, are sheltering in overcrowded camps with limited aid, according to emergency officials.
Violence Plagues Nigeria’s Middle Belt
This latest atrocity is part of a longstanding pattern of deadly clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Disputes over land, water, and grazing rights—exacerbated by climate change—have left thousands dead in recent years.
Human rights groups say at least 100 people have been killed in Benue and Plateau states in similar attacks since January alone. Many blame political inaction and a lack of security coordination for the persistent violence.
As Benue mourns its dead, citizens are demanding stronger leadership and concrete action to prevent more bloodshed. Whether the federal government will finally prioritize security in the region remains an open—and urgent—question.
