Tragedy strikes Benue State as the death toll from a gunmen attack in Yelewata climbs to 150. Survivors recount horror, President Tinubu responds, and the nation demands justice. Read the full story.

In a chilling tragedy that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria and beyond, survivors from the Yelewata community in Benue State now report that the death toll from a brutal attack by gunmen has climbed to at least 150 — making it one of the deadliest rural massacres in recent years.

On Friday night, the peaceful farming village of Yelewata, located roughly 120 kilometers from Makurdi, was turned into a war zone. Survivors recount a coordinated ambush by armed assailants who stormed in from multiple directions under the cover of darkness. Villagers—many of them displaced from previous violence and sleeping in a local market—were shot, homes were burned to ashes, and entire families were wiped out.

“They were coming from different sides at the same moment,” said Jacob Psokaa, who lost his father in the attack. “It was sporadic shooting… the situation is very bad now, with many people in the ground.”

A Community in Mourning

The scene is one of unimaginable grief and devastation. Charred homes, burned food stores, and the smell of ash and blood now define Yelewata. “Everything is gone,” says Titus Tsegba, who lost his wife and four children. “They were burned into ashes beyond recognition.” Like many others, he was spared only by chance — sleeping in another part of the village.

In addition to the lives lost, the attackers torched a year’s worth of harvested food — rice and yam meant not just for local consumption, but also for export to other parts of Nigeria. The economic toll will likely deepen the suffering of the already traumatized survivors.

Who Is Responsible?

While no group has claimed responsibility, local authorities strongly suspect Fulani herders, who have historically clashed with farmers over land and grazing routes. These tensions, rooted in both environmental and legal conflicts dating back to the 1960s, have escalated dramatically in recent years as more herders reportedly arm themselves in self-defense — or aggression.

Benue Deputy Governor Sam Ode confirmed suspicions of herder involvement, and added that the attackers appeared organized, making it difficult for villagers to escape.

A Presidential Response

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under increasing pressure to curb Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, described the massacre as “senseless bloodletting.” He vowed swift justice, tweeting just hours ago:

“Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them… Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”

Tinubu is expected to visit Benue State on Wednesday. He also urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to take immediate leadership in a dialogue and reconciliation process that prioritizes peace over politics.

Why This Matters

Benue is often referred to as the “Food Basket of the Nation” — yet its people are being buried beneath the very soil they till. This tragedy is not just a local issue; it's a national crisis that calls for sustained international attention, humanitarian support, and long-term solutions rooted in justice and collaboration.

Nollywood Spotlight stands with the people of Benue State. May their lost loved ones rest in peace, and may the survivors find strength, healing, and justice.