A gruesome attack in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, over the weekend left at least 120 villagers dead and many more injured or missing, local officials say.
Survivors report that gunmen—believed to be armed Fulani herders—stormed the village late on Friday, 13 June, opening fire on sleeping residents and burning their homes.
“Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market,” which was razed, said an Associated Press report.
Amnesty International also confirmed at least 100 fatalities, stating the attack occurred “between late Friday and the early hours of Saturday.”
Videos circulating online show charred bodies and homes, and suggest dozens remain unaccounted for.
Global and National Reactions
Pope Leo, from St Peter’s Square at the Sunday Angelus, described the massacre as a “terrible massacre” and said:
“I am praying for security, justice, and peace in Nigeria. In a special way, I am thinking of the rural Christian communities of Benue State, who have been relentless victims of violence.”
Former Senate President David Mark, speaking to the Federal Government, warned that communities might have to defend themselves.
“This is no longer a random occurrence. It appears to be an organised, premeditated onslaught. We cannot continue to sit back and watch our people being slaughtered for no reason,” he said.
He also urged vigilance and community defence, saying the situation “cannot be said to be ordinary or accidental.”
Catholic Bishops, through the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, released a statement.
Part of the statement read: “With heavy hearts and deep anguish of soul… strongly condemn in the most unequivocal terms the utterly barbaric massacre of innocent citizens in Benue State… These cold-blooded attacks… are an affront to God, a stain on our shared humanity…”
Government Response
President Bola Tinubu has ordered swift action. His office described the attack as “senseless bloodletting” and pledged decisive measures to arrest perpetrators.
In a Statehouse Press Release, signed by Bayo Onanuga, it was announced that Tinubu will visit Benue State on Wednesday, 18 June, in place of his planned state visit to Kaduna.
The itinerary includes meetings with stakeholders and a town hall with security chiefs, led by the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, and the Senate and House Defence Committees.
According to Onanuga, “The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.”
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