Benue Under Siege: Confronting Herdsmen Crisis

The violence in Benue State has reached alarming levels, with last week’s massacre in Yelwata marking one of the deadliest attacks this year.

Over 200 people were killed many burned alive and thousands have since fled to overcrowded IDP camps, including Makurdi International Market. The total number of deaths since April has climbed to over 270, while more than 2.1 million people remain displaced.

As grief ripples through the state, protests have erupted in Makurdi, demanding government intervention and long-term security solutions. President Bola Tinubu visited the state yesterday, promising action, but for many residents, promises without protection ring hollow.

Beyond the statistics lies a deeper human tragedy. Communities have been torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and trauma left unaddressed. Now more than ever, the conversation must move beyond political rhetoric to concrete action—strengthening local security, addressing root causes, and rebuilding trust between communities and government. The question remains: can Benue truly find peace, or will history keep repeating itself?