Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have continued their deadly rampage in Benue State, with over 200 people reportedly killed on Saturday,14th June 2025 in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area.
A high-ranking army officer also revealed that “two soldiers were killed in a separate attack same Saturday morning in Guma LGA.”
Speaking to journalists from Makurdi, community leader and former acting Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Matthew Mnyan, recounted the horrors:
“It started last night at about 11pm when Fulani terrorists came from the Western part of Yelwata and started shooting.
“So the police men and young people that were there tried to engage them. Suddenly another group came from the Eastern part of the community and they overran those trying to resist them.
“They killed people, poured petrol on the stalls in the market and burnt them.”
Governor’s Account
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on his part confirmed that the casualty figure from the Yelewata killings has risen to 59, including two soldiers and a civil defense personnel.
This figure, according to him, is based on confirmation from security operatives and a comprehensive head count.
While addressing journalists at the government house, Governor Alia stated that the number is the result of a physical head count carried out by security agencies in collaboration with the families of the victims, “as all the security services who were at the various meetings.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia also acknowledged the support of his Nasarawa State counterpart, crediting him for sharing intelligence regarding the incident, which also claimed the life of a woman on the Nasarawa axis.
He provided these details while receiving a report from the panel of enquiry set up to investigate militia activities in the Sankera axis.
The governor assured that his administration remains committed to investigating those mentioned in the report in a bid to restore peace in Sankera.
Benue Youths Protest Over Killings
Tension however escalated in the state on the morning of Sunday, 15th June 2025, as angry youths launched a massive protest, blocking the busy Abuja-Makurdi highway at Wurukum Roundabout. The demonstration was a bold call for justice and improved security in response to another round of deadly violence in the state.
Dressed in black and holding palm fronds, the protesters carried placards with heart-wrenching messages condemning the persistent killings, which they claimed have continued despite numerous pleas for intervention.
The protest occurred less than 24 hours after a brutal attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area. One protester stated that “over 200 people were reportedly massacred” in what is being described as one of the most devastating assaults in recent times.
Protesters vowed not to vacate the highway until both federal and state governments take concrete steps to safeguard lives and bring those responsible to justice.
This defiance came despite a prior warning from the Benue State Government advising against unlawful gatherings, particularly by youths in sensitive areas. The demonstrators, however, said their action stemmed from deep frustration and a sense of abandonment by the authorities.
Our correspondent, Doofan Aga observed that vehicular movement along the highway was completely halted, leading to major gridlock and panic among commuters.
As the protest drew a large crowd, tensions heightened when police fired teargas to disperse the demonstrators, sparking confusion and fear. Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, made efforts and addressed the protesters.
This development adds to Benue’s ongoing security crisis, with growing demands for urgent federal action to stop the violence and restore peace.
The situation was eventually brought under control without any reported casualties, although a strong security presence remains in the area to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
14 Arrested During Protest In Benue
The Benue State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting lawful civic engagement, while firmly condemning acts of violence, destruction, and lawlessness.
In a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, praised the peaceful conduct of demonstrators at Wurukum Roundabout, Makurdi, “who gathered to express grievances over recent security incidents in the State.”
However, Edet expressed concern over the actions of a different group of hoodlums allegedly sympathetic to the protest. These individuals reportedly blocked a road in Apir, on the outskirts of Makurdi, where they forcefully stopped a truck and set it ablaze, leaving the yet-to-be-identified driver trapped inside.
According to the command, “so far arrested fourteen (14) suspects in connection with these incidents,” adding that they will face prosecution. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals responsible for the violence.
The statement also confirmed that normalcy has been restored following coordinated efforts by the police and other security agencies.
Edet stressed the importance of peaceful and lawful protest, stating that “while the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected, it is imperative that such expressions remain lawful and non-violent.”
She further noted that the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, had shown proactive leadership by visiting the protest site alongside the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, “in an effort to engage with the demonstrators and appeal for calm.”
“Unfortunately, the crowd declined to be addressed, and the protest was soon hijacked by disruptive elements who attempted to attack the Deputy Governor. Police officers swiftly intervened using non-lethal crowd control measures, including smoke and water cannons, to prevent harm and safely evacuate the Deputy Governor from the scene. No casualties or injuries were recorded during this operation,” the statement read in part.
Parents Demand Release of Students Over Security Fears
Tension has continued to build at the Government Special Science Senior Secondary School, North Bank, Uni Agric Road, Makurdi, as concerned parents gathered at the school gate in protest, demanding the immediate release of their children amid rising insecurity in the area.
The visibly agitated parents said they could no longer entrust the safety of their wards to the school, pointing to recent violent incidents in the vicinity and the government’s failure to act despite repeated warnings. According to them, the school had officially written to the Benue State Ministry of Education requesting security presence before the current term began, but no response was received.
Their fears intensified after the recent abduction of students from the nearby Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), formerly the University of Agriculture. The parents noted that a follow-up reminder was sent to the Ministry after the JOSTUM incident, but again, no action was taken.
The situation worsened last week when suspected herdsmen launched an attack on the host community surrounding the school, resulting in several deaths and widespread displacement. Parents also raised alarm that, during the last visiting day, cows were seen grazing inside the school compound due to a broken section of the perimeter fence raising further concerns for student safety.
Calling for swift government intervention, the parents demanded that the school temporarily suspend academic activities until adequate security measures are put in place.
“We don’t want another JOSTUM, Chibok or Dapchi situation in Benue,” one concerned parent said.
As of the time of reporting, there had been no official statement from the Ministry of Education or the school authorities.
What The Government Is Doing
President Bola Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to immediately implement his earlier directive aimed at restoring lasting peace and security in Benue State.
The renewed order comes in response to the latest wave of reprisal attacks that claimed many lives.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, “on the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.”
President Tinubu also called on the Governor of Benue State to take the lead in organizing reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to stop the continued bloodshed and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers, herders, and local communities.
He condemned the violence, stating that the killings are “inhuman and anti-progress,” while urging political and community leaders in the affected areas to avoid making statements that could heighten tensions.
“They should also rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks.
The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough,” the statement read in part.
The President directed security agencies to take firm action, arrest all perpetrators involved in the violence, and ensure they are prosecuted.
President Tinubu also emphasized the need for responsible leadership at all levels, particularly within Benue State, to curb the crisis.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue. Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” he concluded.
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