Following a deadly attack in Benue State, Nigeria, that left over 200 people feared dead, widespread reactions have poured in from local communities, security agencies, and even the Vatican. The massacre occurred on the night of June 13th to 14th in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area, where armed men believed to be terrorists or herdsmen stormed the settlements, killing mostly internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were taking refuge at a local Catholic mission.
This gruesome incident is the latest in a string of violent clashes that have plagued Benue State since early April. From April 1 to June 1, at least 270 lives have been lost to gun attacks across the state. The violence, which has intensified over time, stems largely from ongoing conflicts between farmers and armed herders over access to land and water resources. The crisis has not only displaced thousands but also threatens Nigeria’s food security, as many victims of these attacks are subsistence farmers.
A community leader from the affected area, contradicting official figures, claimed that the fatalities from the June 13–14 overnight attack could exceed 200, while police reports place the number at 45. This discrepancy in figures underscores the chaotic aftermath and the difficulty of immediate on-ground verification.
In the wake of the violence, the Nigerian military swiftly launched aerial surveillance missions over Makurdi and the neighboring Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas. Since Sunday morning, residents have reported sightings of low-flying military aircraft combing the skies. A military official, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that the surveillance is part of a broader tactical response to monitor suspicious activity and ensure rapid counteraction. “The residents should not panic; the military is on top of the situation,” he assured.
Meanwhile, tension peaked on Sunday when enraged residents took to the streets in Makurdi, gathering at the Wurukum Roundabout in a protest against what they described as the government’s ongoing failure to safeguard lives. The demonstrators were met with force when police officers used tear gas to disperse the crowd after they declined to grant audience to Benue State Deputy Governor Sam Ode and Police Commissioner Emenari Ifeanyi.
Among the protesters were local voices like Architect Brahms Ikuan and Gideon Inyom, who passionately called out the negligence of the authorities and demanded robust federal intervention. Social media platforms have also been ablaze with outrage, with many Nigerians calling for the declaration of a state of emergency in Benue State to curb the rising insecurity.
In response to the public outcry and deteriorating security situation, Commissioner Ifeanyi revealed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has now assumed direct command of security operations in the state. According to him, special tactical units have been deployed to hotspots including Naka, Apa, Agatu, Daudu, and Yelwata. “All the Special Forces are intelligence-based. They will go, no matter where the bandits are, and get them,” he said, adding that arrests have already been made.
Commissioner Ifeanyi also suggested that the Yelwata attack might have been a retaliatory move by armed factions facing increasing pressure from security offensives in neighboring areas. “They just want to do something to show they are in control, while they are not — and will never be,” he emphasized, urging residents to remain cooperative and allow the forces to do their job.
The international community has not remained silent. During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sorrow over what he called a “terrible massacre.” Leading prayers for the victims, the Pope noted that the majority were internally displaced people under the protection of a Catholic mission. He voiced deep concern for rural Christian communities in Nigeria, particularly in Benue, where violence has become disturbingly frequent.
In alignment with the Vatican’s response, Amnesty International Nigeria also issued a strong condemnation of the attack. The organization called on the Nigerian government to take decisive and immediate action to end the bloodshed and hold perpetrators accountable. According to Amnesty, more than 2,600 people have lost their lives in Benue across 50 communities between January 2023 and February 2024 alone — a staggering figure that underscores the prolonged and devastating nature of this crisis.
The impact of these recurring attacks goes beyond the immediate loss of life. With widespread displacement and destruction of farmland, the long-term effects may ripple into national food shortages and economic instability, especially considering Benue’s role as one of Nigeria’s major agricultural hubs.
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