June 20, (THEWILL) – The Tor Tiv, Prof James Iorzua Ayatse, has visited victims of the Yelwata attack receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi and donated one million Naira to support their treatment and recovery.
The visit was to console survivors of the deadly attack, which allegedly left over 200 people dead, many injured, and hundreds displaced.
The Tor Tiv was conducted round the hospital wards by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Stephen Hwande, to interact with victims, encouraged them to keep faith in God, assuring them of divine intervention and pledged to work with relevant authorities, including President Bola Tinubu, to find lasting solutions to recurring attacks on Benue communities.
He was accompanied by First Class traditional rulers, including the Tor Lobi, HRH. Chief Thomas Anagende; Ter Guma, HRH Dennis Sheembe; and Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Ahule, this is even as, before visiting the hospital, the delegation assessed the situation in Yelwata first-hand.
According to the paramount ruler, the royal team had earlier met with Yelwata community members, offered prayers, and expressed solidarity with those affected, as well as assured the locals that the traditional institution would continue to press for security, justice, and assistance from both state and federal governments.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Stephen Hwande, thanked the Tor Tiv for the visit and the donation, saying the hospital was committed to giving victims the best possible care despite challenges and appealed for more support from other spirited individuals.
The royal visit was praised as a timely gesture of leadership and empathy, as it also reinforces the role of the traditional institution in responding to crises and advocating for peace, security, and the welfare of the Tiv people.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Enemari Ifeanyi, has confirmed that only 47 persons were killed in the wake of terrorists’ invasion of Yelwata community in Guma Local Government area by killer mercenaries last Friday.
The Police Commissioner also said two suspected bandits responsible for the deadly attack were neutralised by security forces during a confrontation, while one suspect was arrested and is currently providing valuable information to the police.
Briefing newsmen on the update of the attack at the Police Command headquarters in Makurdi on Thursday, CP Enemari reassured residents of ongoing efforts to prevent a recurrence, revealing that the bandits had planned to overrun the community but were repelled by the swift intervention of Police Tactical Teams and other security operatives deployed in the area.
“The situation in Yelwata is now under control. The Inspector General of Police has deployed additional personnel to hotspots across the state to bolster security and avert future attacks”, he stated.
CP Ifeanyi reiterated the commitment of the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and protect lives and property across Benue State.
In a swift reaction, some survivors of the Yelwata invasion described the Police Commissioner’s position as playing on the psyche of victims and called on him to reverse his position with an apology.
John Abaagu, who lost four of his family members during the attack, stated that as of Thursday, some dead bodies had been recovered in the warehouse, which was set on fire by the invaders.
“The Police Commissioner’s position amounts to insulting our sensibilities. Some of our family members could not be traced at the moment”, he declared.
