June 15, (THEWILL) – Tragedy struck the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State as a man lost his wife and four children in a coordinated attack by suspected herdsmen in the early hours of Saturday, June 7, 2025.
The attack, which eyewitnesses say began around 2am, reportedly claimed over 100 lives. According to residents, the assailants arrived under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically to create panic.
Local vigilantes attempted to confront the attackers, unaware that a second group had already surrounded the other end of the community.
The attackers were said to have moved to the Yelwata Market Square, setting houses ablaze and killing anyone in sight before residents realised the ambush and attempted to regroup.
Eyewitnesses expressed dismay that the massacre occurred near Yelwata Primary School, where a detachment of the Nigerian Army had long been stationed to protect the community.
Mr. Gbam Tsegba, who lost his wife and four children in the attack, told our correspondent that he had arranged for their remains to be transported to his village for burial.
Another survivor, Mr. Terngu Tsesaa, disclosed that many of the victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs) who had earlier fled similar attacks in other communities.
“It was raining heavily during the attack. Some people who were shot and injured have been taken to the hospital,” he said.
Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Mr. Maurice Orwough, and the Benue State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Yanmar Ortese, visited the affected community to console survivors and families of the deceased.
Mr. Orwough confirmed that the attack had been reported to the police, urging residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious movements to security agencies.
Meanwhile, angry youths from nearby Daudu community staged a protest over what they described as the government’s failure to protect lives.
They blocked the busy Makurdi–Lafia–Abuja highway, demanding urgent intervention from both the federal and state governments.
Vehicular movement was disrupted for hours as the protesting youths chanted dirges and vowed to sustain the demonstration until their demands were met.
Security personnel were deployed to prevent the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements.
Spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident but said the number of casualties could not yet be verified.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Enemari, had ordered a full-scale investigation.
