At least 100 people have been killed in a brutal gun attack that swept through the village of Yelewata in north-central Nigeria’s Benue state. The violence reportedly began on Friday evening and extended into the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving behind a trail of devastation and grief. Survivors describe horrific scenes, with entire families locked inside their homes and set ablaze, many of the bodies charred beyond recognition.
The community, located in the Guma area of Benue, has been plunged into mourning. In addition to the fatalities, hundreds were injured during the rampage, and dozens remain unaccounted for. Reports suggest the injured are not receiving sufficient medical attention due to strained local health facilities. The humanitarian toll is mounting, with displaced residents in urgent need of shelter, food, and psychological support.
Though local police confirmed the attack, they have yet to release official casualty figures. The scale of the destruction and the number of victims is still being assessed. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses and local groups are calling for swift and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed.
This attack is the latest in a troubling pattern of escalating violence in Benue, often attributed to long-standing tensions between herders and farmers. These conflicts, especially prevalent in Nigeria’s “middle belt” region, are driven by competition over land and water resources. Farmers allege that nomadic herders graze their cattle on cultivated lands, damaging crops and threatening food security. The herders, many of whom are of Fulani origin, argue that they are using legally recognized grazing routes, which have been in place since the 1960s.
The violence has deepened religious and ethnic divisions. The middle belt, where Benue is located, is a point of convergence between Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north and Christian south. These divisions, combined with resource disputes, have repeatedly ignited deadly confrontations.
Observers warn that the situation in Benue is becoming increasingly untenable. A series of recent attacks have resulted in dozens of deaths across the state and surrounding regions. In neighboring Plateau State, at least 40 lives were lost in April, and last month in Gwer West, Benue, another 20 were reportedly killed.
Communities are demanding urgent intervention from national authorities, including increased security presence, resolution of land use disputes, and support for victims. Without concrete and sustained efforts, locals fear that the cycle of violence will only continue, jeopardizing the lives and futures of countless Nigerians caught in the crossfire.
