Armed herders on Saturday launched a brutal overnight attack on Yelewata Community in Guma local government area of Benue State, killing no fewer than 100 people, most of whom were internally displaced persons (IDPs).
According to Daily Trust, the attack, which lasted for more than two hours was the third on the community in one week.
This latest assault further heightened fears of ethnic cleansing in the region.
Yelewata lies on the Benue–Nasarawa border, a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between farmers and suspected armed herdsmen.
In a separate but related incident in Daudu, another town in Guma LGA located just 20 minutes from Makurdi, the state capital, two soldiers were reportedly killed after they were ambushed during a response mission on Friday night.
Local sources said the attackers stormed Yelewata just before midnight, laying siege to the community with heavy gunfire and committing arson.
“In previous attacks, some courageous local youths managed to repel them. But this time, the attackers came in large numbers with sophisticated weapons and completely overpowered the community,” a resident said via telephone.
A staff of Guma LGA, who asked not to be named, described the scene as “an annihilation of a race,” saying, “Over 100 bodies have been recovered, and many families were burnt beyond recognition. These evil bandits poured petrol on shelters and burnt people in their sleep.”
“Majority of the victims are IDPs staying in market stalls and shops. Some of the victims are entire families — 10 to 15 members wiped out at once. Over 40 were rushed to hospitals, but 20 died on the way. I’m afraid the death toll may rise to 200,” he added.
President of the Association of United Farmers Benue Valley (AUFBV), Chief Dennis Denen Gbongbon, provided further details, “At about 2am today (Saturday), there was a very disturbing security incident involving Tiv farmers in Yelewata.”
He adde, “Suspected Lakurawa bandits, believed to be herders, attacked the area, killing over 62 IDPs and farmers. Entire families were wiped out in ways that defy imagination.”
Gbongbon, who was on ground at the scene, continued, “About 85 percent of the victims are IDPs who had earlier fled from Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza. They sought refuge in Yelewata, but terror followed them here. Even in displacement, they found no peace.”
Attempts to reach the Chairman of Guma LGA, Maurice Orwough, were unsuccessful as of press time.
However, the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi.
“I can’t give an exact account of it because I’m not there physically but I’m aware that this ugly thing happened yesterday (Friday) in Yelewata and at the back of Daudu. They are two different attacks. I can’t say the exact number because I don’t have the details.”
In Daudu, witnesses reported that the military was responding to an attempted invasion when soldiers were ambushed with five of them shot while two have been confirmed dead.
Spokesperson for Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Lt. Zubair Ahmad said he was still verifying the incident and promised to revert.
Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the attack on Yelewata but did not provide casualty figures.
“According to our information, it happened in the early hours of today (Saturday) where suspected bandits invaded Yelewata. The police and tactical teams responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange. Some of the attackers were killed in the process,” he said.
“But it’s with great sadness that we report that some individuals lost their lives and others sustained injuries. The police have not relented and are still pursuing the attackers. We will continue to keep everyone safe.”
