Tragedy struck again in Benue State as yet another brutal massacre claimed the lives of innocent citizens.
A survivor from the area recounted the terrifying ordeal:
> “It started in my own neighborhood. They came in large numbers — I saw them up close. I don’t know how I managed to escape. My family wasn’t as fortunate. My wife’s brother and four of their children were killed in the market."
According to eyewitnesses, armed herdsmen stormed Yelwata community and began firing gunshots for over five hours. The police initially resisted, but the attackers later diverted to the Yelwata Market where over 100 lives were reportedly lost.
Entire shops housing more than 50 people were set ablaze. Some victims were slaughtered; others burnt beyond recognition. It was a coordinated, cruel, and inhumane attack.
Security forces and top government officials have condemned the massacre. “When one attack happens, it overshadows the hundreds of threats we have managed to prevent,” one security official noted. “This doesn’t mean we are not deploying — we are working with the military and other agencies to put an end to this reign of impunity.”
The Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defense Staff visited the community, assuring residents that this attack is being taken seriously at the highest levels.
> “This is not just an attack on the people of Benue State; it is an attack on the soul of the nation,” said one top official. “We will not accept it. We will fight and win this war.”
Community cooperation was emphasized as crucial. “Locals know their environment best. They can detect strange movements and alert us early. Any information shared will be treated with absolute confidentiality.”
Officials also acknowledged that past attacks may have been facilitated by internal betrayal. “Some targets were clearly marked in advance. We suspect there were insiders. We are addressing this breach of trust.”
The people of Benue, and indeed Nigeria, deserve peace. The tragedy at Yelwata is a painful reminder of how fragile life is in regions plagued by violence. But the collective resolve — from government to grassroots — is clear: this must stop.
As the governor and traditional leaders assured their communities of increased military presence and new strategies, the nation mourns but also rises — in unity, in grief, and in hope that such a calamity will never be repeated.
