The people of Benue State are still reeling from a devastating massacre that claimed the lives of over 200 innocent souls in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area on June 13, 2025. Survivors and observers have voiced profound grief and frustration as political leadership appeared more focused on orchestrated displays than delivering real security.
A local advocate described the horror: “These were fathers, mothers, children people with dreams and names—burned in their sleep as militants set fire to their homes.” Many victims were displaced families housed at the market square, where attackers reportedly used fuel to ignite their shelters during the night, shooting anyone attempting to flee. This atrocity stands among the worst in recent memory, underscoring the deadly cycle of violence that has plagued the North Central region.
Despite the tragedy, government officials shortly after called for “colourful, shoulder-to-shoulder” rallies to welcome the president, a move condemned by local voices as “a spittle on the graves” of the victims. An open letter penned by Victoria Olohigocho Omachi, a daughter of Benue, laments this political choreography: “When leaders prioritise performance over people’s lives, they declare that Benue lives are expendable.”
Security experts reveal that this massacre is part of a broader escalation, with over 1,000 deaths recorded in the Middle Belt from 2023 to 2025, caused mainly by violent herder-farmer conflicts aggravated by climate pressures and ethnic divisions. Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia described the violence not as mere clashes but “terrorism” designed to displace communities.
Calls now ring loud across Benue and Nigeria for urgent government action beyond symbolism. “Every Benue life is worth the monthly billions budgeted for security,” the letter stresses. Locals appeal for justice, accountability, and protection—not mere ceremonies or empty promises.
