President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, June 15, 2025, directed security chiefs to enforce his prior directive to restore peace and security in Benue State following a deadly attack in Yelewata village, Guma Local Government Area. He also instructed Governor Hyacinth Alia to convene reconciliation meetings and dialogue among conflicting parties to end the ongoing violence, according to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The directive comes in response to a brutal assault late Friday, where gunmen stormed Yelewata, killing at least 100 residents, with dozens missing and hundreds injured from gunshot and burn wounds, as reported by Amnesty International and local officials. The attackers set houses ablaze, targeting many internally displaced persons who had sought refuge in the village after previous attacks. Benue police confirmed the raid but have yet to release a final casualty figure, while emergency workers continue to treat survivors.
“On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police, and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity,” the statement read. President Tinubu condemned the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress,” urging political and community leaders to avoid inflammatory statements that could escalate tensions. He also called on political actors to curb provocateurs instigating reprisal attacks.
Tinubu further tasked Governor Alia with facilitating reconciliation efforts to foster lasting peace and coexistence among farmers, herders, and communities, particularly as the rainy season—a peak period for disputes over grazing and planting—heightens the risk of further violence. Benue authorities have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, but residents remain fearful of additional reprisals.
The president’s actions underscore the urgency of addressing the recurring violence in Benue, with the government emphasizing both security measures and dialogue to mitigate the crisis.
