On June 13, 2025, the Yelewate community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State witnessed one of the most horrific massacres in its history, as over 200 residents were slaughtered in their sleep by armed herdsmen. The attackers set homes and market stalls ablaze while shooting indiscriminately for over four hours. The attack sparked global outrage and even drew a solemn mention from Pope Leo XIV. In response, President Bola Tinubu canceled his trip to Kaduna to visit Benue, meet victims, and consult stakeholders on lasting peace solutions.
The town hall meeting, attended by top officials including governors, ministers, security chiefs, and traditional rulers, was opened by the Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh James Ayatse. He dismissed the narrative of herder-farmer clashes, describing the killings as a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign.” He emphasized that the Tiv people, displaced across states like Nasarawa, have ancestral claims to the lands now taken over by armed invaders. His plea to President Tinubu was direct: end the violence and restore peace and justice to the people of Benue.
Governor Hyacinth Alia echoed the Tor Tiv’s concerns, describing the persistent attacks as an orchestrated effort to annihilate the indigenous population and seize their lands. He thanked President Tinubu for his unprecedented visit during such a crisis but called for decisive action. He also proposed the establishment of a special intervention fund to rebuild destroyed communities and advocated for the creation of state police to enhance local security responses.
In his address, President Tinubu condemned the violence, promised federal support, and directed the creation of an elders’ peace committee in Benue. He expressed his readiness to “invest in peace” and pledged to host further talks in Abuja. However, his comments drew criticism for lacking a firm federal action plan. He questioned the Inspector General of Police over the absence of arrests and ordered immediate surveillance and investigation efforts by security agencies.
Despite the President’s visit, critics like retired AIG Austin Iwar and Tiv leader Chief Iorbee Ihagh voiced disappointment over the vague commitments and lack of urgency. They warned that calling for peace without disarming the perpetrators would only allow the violence to continue. Ihagh, who revealed that his own community remains under siege, urged the President to outlaw open grazing nationwide. The people of Benue demand not just words, but concrete protection, justice, and the right to live peacefully on their ancestral land.
