Benue Killings: Tinubu Visits Victims’ Families, Holds Town Hall with Stakeholders

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday began a high-profile visit to Benue State to address the escalating violence in the region, following the deadly Yelewata attack that claimed over 100 lives on June 13.

The President’s visit began with a trip to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, the epicenter of the recent violence, where he met with survivors, bereaved families, and displaced persons. The attack, carried out by unidentified gunmen, has been described as one of the deadliest in the state’s recent history.

According to Amnesty International and local officials, over 100 residents were killed, dozens are still missing, and many are being treated for gunshot and burn injuries. Many of the victims were internally displaced persons (IDPs) already seeking refuge in the village.

From Yelewata, President Tinubu visited a local hospital where the injured are receiving treatment, before heading to Makurdi, the state capital, for a town hall meeting at the Benue State Government House Banquet Hall.

Top Dignitaries in Attendance

The meeting drew prominent figures from across Nigeria’s political, traditional, and security establishments. Attendees included:

• National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu
• APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje
• Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume
• Former Governors of Benue, including Samuel Ortom
• North Central Governors, federal lawmakers, and party executives
• Traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, and the Elders’ Council
• Executive Chairmen of Benue’s 23 LGAs

The discussions focused on addressing the prolonged communal and herder-farmer violence that has claimed over 500 lives in Benue State since the start of 2025.

Security remains tight around the venues, with police and military operatives deployed across strategic points in Makurdi and Guma LGA.

Call for Action Amid Fear of Reprisals

Benue State authorities have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, but residents remain fearful of reprisal attacks, especially as the rainy season—a critical period for farming and grazing—sets in.

President Tinubu’s visit comes amid mounting pressure on the federal government to tackle insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where ethnic tensions and resource-based conflicts continue to escalate.