Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has provided a detailed update on the recent massacre in Yelewata, revealing that the attackers used a river route to bypass military and police checkpoints before launching a coordinated assault that lasted two hours. Speaking on Arise Television on June 17, 2025, Alia said the assailants, believed to be armed herdsmen, initially clashed with security forces at the checkpoints but, after being pushed back, regrouped and attacked in large numbers.
Alia explained that the attackers were initially pushed out of the Apa Local Government Area and were en route to Nasarawa State when they diverted to storm Yelewata. The governor described the attack as brutal and well-coordinated, with the assailants exploiting the terrain to evade security presence. Over 200 people were reportedly killed in the June 15 attack, which has sparked national outrage and calls for urgent action.
The tragedy has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including Pope Leo, who prayed for the victims and called for an end to the violence. President Bola Tinubu has pledged to visit the affected community and has directed security agencies to take proactive measures to halt the persistent killings in Benue.
Governor Alia also highlighted the challenges faced by security forces, noting that the attackers came in overwhelming numbers and that there may be local complicity aiding their movements. He urged communities to support security efforts and called on religious, traditional, and political leaders to help prevent further violence.
The attack in Yelewata is part of a broader pattern of violence in central Nigeria, often linked to conflicts between herders and farmers, and has resulted in widespread displacement, destruction of homes, and loss of lives. Security agencies have launched joint operations and cross-border manhunts to apprehend the perpetrators and restore peace in the region.
