Nearly three months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue State over the massacre in Yelwata community, indigenes and residents of the state still live in palpable fear.
Following the killing of many people in Yelwata Community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, President Tinubu paid a condolence visit on June 18, 2025, and instructed Nigeria’s service chiefs to ensure the arrest of those responsible for the massacre.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with Benue stakeholders in the state, President Tinubu gave a direct order to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. “Christopher… We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out.”
The President also called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests have not been made.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelwata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” he said.
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Following the Presidential order, the combined team of the nation’s security agencies went to work. A number of people said to be the brains behind the killings were arrested.
Just a week after the President’s visit, precisely on 2025, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 26 persons, who allegedly actively participated in the killings in Yelwata community, had been arrested
He said that two of the bandits, who were part of the attackers had earlier been killed on the ill-fated day by the Police operatives when they attacked the Police station in the community.
“As you will all recall, on June 13, 2025, between the hours of 11.30p.m. and 2a.m, armed militias invaded Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, killing and maiming any soul on sight,” he said.
According to him, “The invaders rampaged and pillaged the community, setting several houses ablaze and maliciously destroying other property and people’s means of livelihood. It was a coordinated attack of terror against the community.
“In this senseless and barbaric attack, 47 persons were confirmed killed, 27 persons sustained injuries and hundreds of others have been displaced but not dead.
“The police and other security agencies responded with adequate deployment of personnel and resources, including deployment of tactical units and Special Forces to restore confidence in the affected community and neighbouring communities.
“Also immediately deployed were detectives from our Intelligence Response Team, IRT, who swung into action, launching a manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“I am pleased to inform you today that 26 persons directly connected to this crime have so far been arrested and their weapons recovered.”
The IGP went on to make other claims of arrest and exploits the security agency was making to end the orgy of killings in the state.
He said: “On June 21, another key suspect, in whose house the initial meeting to plan the attack was held, was arrested.
“On June 22, a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of 18 other suspects who directly took part in the killings.
“On June 23, our detectives recovered two GPMG and eight AK-47 rifles, which were part of the weapons used during the attack.
“All 28 suspects are currently in custody and have voluntarily confessed to their individual and collective roles in the attack.”
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The question is, has the Police exploit really guaranteed peace in Benue communities?
Benue has witnessed a surge in violent attacks by armed herders. The attack on Yelwata unofficially claimed the lives of over 200 people.
Addressing Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue during the visit in June, Tinubu remarked: “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”
He called on regional leaders to unite for peace and progress, proposing the establishment of a leadership committee to meet in Abuja and develop a long-term peace strategy.
“We cannot do without one another. I want us to set up a leadership committee immediately to meet in Abuja to design a lasting peace strategy. I’m ready to invest in that peace.”
But since the President’s visit and the tough talk, killings have continued in the state.
In August, nine persons, among them a police officer, were killed in a renewed attack by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Tension was also reported between the Igede-speaking people of Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State and their neighbouring Tiv communities in Gwer East and Konshisha Local Government Areas following the killing of two middle-aged men, Jonathan Ogah and Gabriel Ogodo, from Oju LGA by suspected Tiv youths at Ulam community in Gwer East council of the state.
It was gathered that among the communities affected in those attacks were Okwutanobe, Okpokpolo, Olegagbani and Ikpele.
A resident reported that “armed herders invaded Olegagbani where they killed one person, a day later, the same armed herders attacked Ikpele where they killed one Police officer and four people.
“As we speak, people are fleeing their homes but no one knows where they will attack next.”
Chairman of Agatu council, James Melvin who confirmed that nine persons, including a police officer lost their lives in three days of sustained attacks on Agatu communities, said: “I can confirm to you that four people were killed in Okwitanobe, Okpokpolo and Olegugbani while five people, including a police officer, were killed in Ikpele.”
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Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Enemari confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the June 13 attack on Yelwata Community in Guma LGA of the state.
Speaking to journalists at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi, Enemari said that the suspect was currently under interrogation and has provided useful information to investigators.
The Commissioner reported that four security personnel — two soldiers, one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, and one civil protection guard — were killed in the attack, while one police officer remains missing.
According to Enemari, the incident began with an assault on a police station in Daudu, near Yelwata, where officers engaged armed bandits in a gun battle, resulting in the death of two attackers.
He said that while security forces were responding to the Daudu attack, another group of assailants reportedly invaded Yelwata, carrying out a deadly raid.
“Initial reports indicated 45 fatalities. However, a nun later informed me of an additional body discovered behind St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Eight critically injured victims were taken to the hospital, but two later succumbed to their injuries.
“Based on our records, the civilian death toll stands at 47, in addition to the two bandits killed during the exchange of fire,” Enemari said.
He assured residents that security has been reinforced in Yelwata and surrounding communities, with deployments including mobile police units, tactical teams, and military support. “Our operations extend beyond Yelwata to other vulnerable areas along the axis,” he added.
When questioned about the discrepancy between the police casualty figures and Governor Hyacinth Alia’s earlier report of 59 recovered bodies, Enemari maintained that his account was based on first-hand assessments.
“I am presenting what I personally observed on the ground, alongside the community youth leader and other security agencies,” he stated.
Meanwhile, some residents have claimed that over 200 victims were burnt beyond recognition in the attack.
Regarding the arrest of youths protesting the Yelwata killings in Makurdi, Enemari revealed that while peaceful protests are constitutionally protected, the demonstration was hijacked by hoodlums who committed criminal acts.
“A fuel tanker was stopped, set ablaze, and its driver trapped inside, resulting in his death. This constitutes homicide, not peaceful protest. Fourteen suspects have been arrested, and the case will be charged to court,” he said.
Enemari confirmed joint intelligence-sharing and operational synergy in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Police Command, but declined to provide further details pending investigations.
He also addressed reports of arrests in Ushongo LGA and Gyado Villa, Makurdi, where individuals suspected to be Fulani herders were detained. He said investigations revealed that they were ordinary travellers with no criminal involvement.
“We handle each case based on evidence and due process,” the Commissioner emphasised.
Within that period, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, abducted 12 passengers at Eke Elengbecho, Okpokwu Local Government area of Benue State.
The passengers were traveling in a Benue Links vehicle with registration number 14B – 1.43bn en route Makurdi from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital when they encountered the kidnappers.
Confirming the incident in a press statement issued, the company’s Information officer Johnson Ehi Daniel said it occurred at about 6:30 pm.
The statement reads:
“Benue Links Limited regrets to inform the public of an unfortunate incident involving one of her buses, with Registration Number 14B – 143BN, which was attacked while en route Makurdi from Abeokuta.
“The attack occurred at about 6:30 pm of Sunday, 22nd June 2025, at Eke Elengbecho, in Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.
“The vehicle, which departed Abeokuta with 12 passengers and the driver, was later discovered by the roadside at Eke with some of the passengers’ luggage; however, the driver and 11 passengers were missing.
“One passenger managed to escape and reached the Eke Police Station and reported that the bus was ambushed by armed kidnappers.
“Benue Links Nigeria Limited strongly condemns the attack on her vehicle and passengers by criminal elements. We stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those affected, and we assure the public that we are actively collaborating with security agencies, who are working diligently to secure the safe return of the abducted passengers and the driver.
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“We commend the swift response of law enforcement agencies and express confidence in their ongoing efforts to bring this distressing situation to a safe and prompt resolution”.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed the kidnap incident.
The Police Public Relations’ Officer PPRO, Udeme Edet said, ”We are investigating a suspected kidnapping where a Hummer bus with Reg Number 14B-43BN packed by the road in Ugbokolo.
A resident of the state, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “Although the attacks have been reduced in frequency, our people are living in fear. Nobody can say for sure that the violence and killings have ended, because the killers just lie low for now, only to rise ferociously to attack the people. This has been the pattern. That is why our people perpetually live in fear, and as you know, that cannot be said to be life. When people perpetually live in fear in their own village and community, as they do not know what tomorrow may bring; there will be no meaningful progress in such a village or community. That is the situation in many Benue communities at the moment, particularly those who have been repeatedly attacked.”
