Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Sunday confirmed that 59 people were killed in a deadly attack on Yelwata, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa states, allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen from Nasarawa.
Addressing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi, the governor said the death toll was based on headcounts conducted by security agencies in collaboration with affected families. Among the victims were members of the military and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who lost their lives while defending the community.
Governor Alia acknowledged the support of his Nasarawa counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Sule, for sharing intelligence on the incident. He noted that the attack also claimed the life of one woman on the Nasarawa side of the border.
The governor spoke shortly after receiving a report from the panel of inquiry into militia activities in the Sankera axis, pledging to forward the findings to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution of those implicated.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has condemned the attack, describing it as a “terrible massacre” marked by “extreme cruelty” against innocent civilians, many of whom were displaced persons.
Speaking at the Vatican during his Sunday Angelus address, the Pope expressed deep concern over the recurring violence in Nigeria and offered prayers for “security, justice, and peace” to prevail. He made special mention of the rural Christian communities in Benue State, whom he described as “relentless victims of violence.”
The attack, which occurred late Friday night, sparked widespread outrage. On Sunday morning, angry youths took to the streets in Makurdi, staging a protest at the Wurukum Food Basket Roundabout to demand justice for the victims. Social media activist Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, joined the protesters to amplify their call for action.
In response to the killings, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu had ordered security agencies to enforce his directive for restoring peace in Benue. He added that top intelligence, police, and military officials have since arrived in the state to oversee ongoing operations and ensure calm is restored.
