The Nigerian military and police have commenced a coordinated cross-border manhunt for gunmen responsible for the brutal killing of about 200 villagers in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, on the night of Friday, June 13, 2025.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, visited Makurdi and Yelewata on Monday to personally oversee and coordinate security operations targeting the assailants.
After visiting the scene, General Musa described the killings as “one too many” and pledged a shift in military strategy to meet the demands of the evolving security situation. He raised concerns that the attackers may have had local collaborators, citing the precision of the attack and targeted burnings as signs of insider involvement.
“In every society, even within the military, there are people who compromise,” Musa stated. “We must change our strategies, look inward, and engage the community meaningfully. We cannot do this alone.”
He urged residents to cooperate with security forces, stressing that without community support, lasting peace would be difficult to achieve. Acknowledging possible trust issues, he added, “If this is to be the last of such attacks, we need everybody on board.”
General Musa also highlighted the porous borders between Benue and Nasarawa States as a key challenge. He announced plans to meet with the Nasarawa State Governor to discuss joint strategies to secure the area.
“We receive intelligence indicating these attackers often cross from neighboring states,” he said. “Wherever they come from, we will pursue them. We must be proactive and take the fight to them.”
Calling for national unity, he appealed to Nigerian youths and citizens to remain committed. “Don’t give up. This is our country, and we must protect it. This madness must end.”
The June 13 attack has been described as one of the most devastating in Benue in recent years. According to Amnesty International and local officials, over 100 residents were confirmed dead, with dozens still missing and hundreds injured by gunfire and arson. Many victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had previously fled earlier attacks.
While police confirmed the attack, an official casualty figure is yet to be released. Emergency agencies say the number may rise as more victims are discovered.
The Benue State Government has launched a separate manhunt, though locals remain fearful of renewed violence, especially as the rainy season, often marked by farmer-herder clashes, approaches.
Reacting to the killings, Pope Francis offered prayers for victims of the “terrible massacre” during his Sunday Angelus.
The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the violence, describing it as a threat to national sovereignty. In Makurdi, he sympathized with the government and people of Benue, affirming that the era of impunity for criminals in the state must come to an end.
“This bloodshed must stop,” Egbetokun declared, assuring that both the police and military were fully committed to restoring order and peace.
The recent massacre in Yelewata and Daudu, Guma LGA of Benue State, has ignited strong national condemnation and prompted swift responses from security agencies, state authorities, and civil society.
Describing the attack as a threat to national sovereignty, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun warned the perpetrators would soon meet fierce resistance. “These mindless acts of terror are attacks not just on Benue people, but on Nigeria’s sovereignty. A day is coming when attackers will come but never return,” he said in Makurdi.
While acknowledging manpower limitations, the IG promised increased deployment of officers and collaboration with other agencies to ensure safety across Benue’s vast terrain.
Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed gratitude for federal support, stating, “We are bleeding. Your visit rekindles hope. With all hands on deck, we will overcome.” He added that 17 out of 23 LGAs were previously under siege, but progress has been made—now only three remain volatile.
President Bola Tinubu, who had planned a visit to Kaduna, rescheduled for Benue on June 18. Speaking while inaugurating the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, he said, “I sympathise with the bereaved. I will adjust my schedule and visit Benue.” He has already dispatched top security and government officials to the state.
His Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed Tinubu would hold a town hall meeting with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups, during his visit. The President has also tasked the Benue governor to initiate peace and reconciliation dialogues.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, affirmed Tinubu’s commitment, revealing that more troops had been deployed and military operations intensified. “This massacre is not just a tragedy for Benue, but a deep wound to our nation,” Akume said, urging unity and decisive action against the killers.
Governor Alia, in a TV interview, dismissed claims of a rift with the SGF and emphasized that the crisis is driven by external forces. “The attackers come armed with AK-47s and AK-49s. This isn’t just internal. President Tinubu has given full support, and that’s why we’ve reduced affected LGAs significantly,” he said.
Former Senate President David Mark warned the Federal Government to act or risk citizens resorting to self-defence. “Government must protect lives or the people may have no choice but to defend themselves,” he said.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) condemned the “gruesome violence” and called for strategic security reform, including enhanced intelligence. Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, described the killings as barbaric and urged Nigerians to break their silence and stand against such acts.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide – Nigeria also condemned the incident, urging the Federal Government to move beyond rhetoric to concrete action.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) demanded justice and direct presidential intervention. “Visit Yelewata. Mourn with the people. Justice must replace dialogue with killers. This is your Rubicon, Mr. President,” it stated.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) claimed the killings were foreseen by its leader Nnamdi Kanu, alleging government negligence.
Chairman of the NGF and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, described the attack as a grievous affront to human dignity and pledged support to Benue. “We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Benue. This tragedy demands justice, healing, and unwavering national unity,” the NGF said.
As Benue mourns, all eyes turn to the federal government’s next moves in halting the cycle of violence that has plagued the region for years.
Rights Group, PDP, and Peace Institute Raise Alarm over Killings in Benue State, Urge Decisive Action from Tinubu
Amid ongoing violence in Benue State, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and restore security in the region.
RULAAC Urges State of Emergency, Comprehensive Military Action
RULAAC, through its Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, urged President Tinubu to declare a constitutional state of emergency in Benue under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, citing the deteriorating security situation as a national embarrassment. The group emphasized that while suspending the state governor or assembly would be unconstitutional, federal intervention was urgently needed due to the state government’s inability to act decisively.
The group also called for a coordinated, full-scale security operation involving the military and police, overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser and Defence Headquarters. Existing efforts such as Operation Whirl Stroke should be integrated, and those arrested—including bandits and armed herders—must face swift justice.
In a related statement, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) alleged that the violence in Benue State exposed the motivations behind the detention of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, claimed that Kanu had warned of such atrocities and resisted policies aimed at dispossessing indigenous people of their lands, including the RUGA initiative and the Waterways Bill.
PDP Accuses Tinubu of Negligence and Complicity
The PDP condemned the killing of over 200 Nigerians, including children, in Benue State, calling it a horrifying episode under the APC-led administration. In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, the party held President Tinubu responsible for failing to respond effectively to terrorism, accusing him of being aloof and indifferent.
According to the PDP, terrorists and bandits have carried out coordinated attacks on communities across the country, emboldened by the President's lethargic approach and the APC’s alleged links to terrorist interests. The party claimed over 600,000 Nigerians have been killed in the last two years and accused the government of focusing on 2027 re-election politics rather than national security.
The PDP urged Tinubu to take personal charge, visit affected communities, and lead a decisive effort to end the killings. The party also commended security personnel for their sacrifices and expressed sympathy to victims’ families.
IPCR Calls for United National Response and Dialogue
The IPCR, in a statement by Director General Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, expressed deep concern over the unrelenting violence in Benue and called for a united national response beyond government intervention. The institute emphasized the immense human cost of the conflict, including deaths, displacement, and trauma.
IPCR advocated for the empowerment of security agencies with adequate resources and training, while stressing the importance of respecting human rights. It called for open dialogue among government officials, community leaders, youth, and civil society groups to address underlying grievances and promote lasting peace.
The Institute identified root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and poor access to education and healthcare as key drivers of conflict and underscored the importance of effective local governance in conflict prevention and resolution.
It concluded by urging a multifaceted, inclusive national effort to restore peace, security, and development in Benue State and across Nigeria.
ADEOLA KUNLE
