“Several Deaths Recorded In Deadliest Benue State Attack”

The North-Central region of Nigeria remains one of the most susceptible regions to herdsmen attacks, and the recent massacre in Benue state, which has drawn national attention, is being tagged as the deadliest attack yet on the state.

On the night of June 13, 2025, a village in Benue state, Yelewata, was attacked by unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen. During the attack, which lasted a couple of hours, several houses were burned down, killing hundreds of innocent victims, including children. 

In a video circulating on social media, a victim of the attack, Fidelis Adidi, narrated how he lost his wife and four children after his house was set ablaze during the attack. Additionally, an anonymous military personnel who spoke with Vanguard confirmed, saying, “We lost two military personnel in that attack.”

According to the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, there was a clear modus operandi. If you see the way some of the burning were made, you know that they were targeted. It shows they have insiders.”

This attack, which has left many hospitalized and homeless, has attracted the attention of notable government personnel, including the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who paid a visit to the state on June 18, 2025, to meet with stakeholders and offer condolences to affected victims.

Many view the incident as one of many land disputes between herders and farmers, which have persisted for years, particularly in the Guma, Logo, and Agatu Local Government areas. This land dispute began to arise when Fulani cattle rearers infiltrated the state and allowed their herds to feed on the farmland of farmers in Benue state. 

This year alone, Guma, Logo, and Ugum local governments have experienced similar attacks in April and May, which have claimed about 100 lives. Acknowledging a pattern in these attacks, a royal head in Benue state, Tor Tiv, tagged the incident as a genocide attack aimed at overtaking the land.

Attacks of this nature continue to persist as a result of the grazing reserve law enacted in 1965, which permits animals to graze in grazing areas within the grazing reserve.

To protect the state from future attacks, the Benue State House of Assembly calls for the implementation of an anti-open grazing law. Daily Post notes, “The House of Assembly has urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to fully implement the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017.”

Being one of the most gruesome attacks recorded in the state, both the State and Federal governments have begun putting strategies in place to safeguard Benue and catch the culprits responsible.

Speaking via his X account, President Tinubu said, “To the good people of Benue…We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.” 

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), 6,527 people have been displaced from their homes, and about 3000 displaced persons are being camped in Nassarawa state following the attack.

Citizens around the country have continued to express their fears and concerns about the ordeal and this has prompted residents of Benue to address the need for self-defence, however, Governor Alia has turned down these demands, insisting that protection using community policing is a better approach.