Benue Leaders Demand Prosecution Of Yelwata Killers

A coalition of Tiv elite and professionals under the aegis of Club De Pals, Abuja, has demanded the immediate prosecution of those responsible for the massacre of over 200 people in Yelwata community, Guma local government area of Benue State, in what they described as a genocide.

In a press statement jointly signed by its president, Board of Trustees, Richard Nduul and secretary-general, Robert Unde, the association expressed deep shock over the tragic incident which occurred on the night of Friday, June 13, 2025, when suspected militia herdsmen invaded the serene farming community.

“The unprovoked attacks on this peaceful community, murdering over 200 people in cold blood. In a military-style operation, they set houses ablaze and opened fire on those trying to flee.”

According to the group, the Yelewata carnage is the latest in a string of violent campaigns by armed herdsmen across 14 LGAs in Benue State, a pattern they claim is aimed at displacing Tiv communities and taking over their ancestral lands.

The group condemned the killings in the strongest possible terms and called on the Nigerian Police, Army, and other security services to take decisive action to prevent further bloodshed.

“The sustained violent campaigns by these attackers leave no one in doubt about their intentions, which is to kill the people and dispossess them of their ancestral lands.

“We hasten to condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms and call on the police, the army, and other security services to pay more than passing attention to their operations to ensure such bizarre incidents do not occur again. The blood-letting from the Herdsmen attacks must stop,” he said.

Club De Pals further acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state in the wake of the attack. They lauded his directive that the perpetrators be apprehended and brought to justice. They also welcomed reports of arrests made by the inspector general of police.

However, the group insisted that these arrests must be followed up with thorough investigations and timely prosecution, warning that justice delayed is justice denied.

They further demanded that law enforcement agencies not only go after the foot soldiers who carried out the killings but also unmask and prosecute their sponsors.

“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visit to commiserate with the people of the state in the aftermath of the attack and his directive that the attackers be fished out and brought to book.

“We also note media reports of the arrests made by the inspector general of police in connection with the genocidal attacks.

“We, however, hasten to call on the police to expedite their investigation and charge the suspects to the court of competent jurisdiction so that justice can be served. As it is often said, justice delayed is justice denied.

“Although the identities of those arrested are still unknown, we demand that investigations should go deep enough to unearth the possible sponsors of the attacks and not only the errand Militia operators,” it said.

While appreciating interventions by federal and state officials to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Yelewata tragedy, the group stressed the need for a holistic and sustained strategy to end the recurring farmer-targeted violence.

They urged local communities to take proactive steps, such as forming vigilante groups to conduct surveillance and gather intelligence in partnership with traditional institutions and local authorities.

“Such vigilante outfits must work within the framework of the law and be coordinated to avoid abuses,” the statement advised.

The elites cautioned that continued inaction or weak responses from government and security agencies could reinforce a dangerous narrative of state failure in securing lives and property.