Pope Leo XIV has publicly condemned the tragic killings in Benue State, which he described as a “terrible massacre” that targeted defenseless civilians, predominantly displaced individuals. The attack, which took place in the border town of Yelwata on the night of June 14, 2025, has led to the deaths of dozens and left many more injured. The pontiff offered his heartfelt prayers during the Sunday Angelus at the Vatican, stressing the urgent need for “security, justice, and peace” to restore stability in the violence-stricken nation.
The violence, attributed to armed herders, occurred at a time when local security forces were already under pressure. Maurice Orwough, Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, confirmed that the assailants had attacked around 11:30 p.m., overpowering a small detachment of soldiers stationed in the area. Despite an initial repulsion by the military in nearby Daudu, the attackers regrouped and moved towards Yelwata, where over 100 armed herdsmen launched a deadly assault on the unarmed civilians.
The horrific event comes on the heels of similar attacks in April, which saw more than 150 people killed across Benue and Plateau states, escalating concerns about the growing insecurity in Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar Condemns Attacks and Demands Action
Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed profound shock and distress at the news of the killings. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Atiku called for “a transparent investigation” into the matter and demanded increased security in the region. He also advocated for immediate humanitarian assistance for the victims, including trauma and medical care.
“This is not just a local tragedy; it is a national emergency,” Atiku said, highlighting the escalating insecurity across Nigeria and the devastating impact on vulnerable communities.
Youth Protests Erupt in Makurdi
In Benue’s state capital, Makurdi, angry protests erupted on June 15, as youths gathered at the Wurukum food basket roundabout to voice their outrage over the killings. The demonstrators demanded justice for the victims and criticized the apparent silence from both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia regarding the ongoing violence.
Activist Martin Otse, known by his pseudonym “VeryDarkMan” (VDM), joined the protests, which grew in intensity as the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, attempted to address the crowd. The protesters, however, rejected his address, insisting on hearing directly from Governor Alia. As tensions escalated, security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
One of the protesters, Solomon Amande, told reporters, “Women, children, the elderly – our people are being slaughtered, and there’s no word from the president or our own governor.”
Governor Alia Responds
In response to the widespread unrest, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the Yelwata attack, expressing deep regret over the loss of lives. A statement from his office assured residents of the government’s commitment to restoring order and security in the state.
“The federal government has deployed tactical units to Benue, with further reinforcements expected. We are strengthening the state’s joint operations to ensure the safety of all our people,” the statement read.
The continued violence has sparked fears of even greater unrest in the region, especially with the already fragile security situation exacerbated by the repeated attacks in recent months.