By Omoniyi David
At least 100 people were feared killed in Yelwata, a town in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, following an overnight attack by gunmen, Amnesty International said on Saturday, calling on Nigerian authorities to halt the rising wave of violence in the state.
The attack, which occurred between late Friday and early Saturday, left dozens dead, homes burnt, and many residents displaced.
Amnesty International, in a statement on X, decried what it described as “an alarming escalation of attacks” in Benue and blamed government inaction for the repeated massacres.
“These attacks have been causing massive displacement and may affect food security, as the majority of victims are farmers,” the rights group said. “The Nigerian authorities’ failure to stem the violence is costing lives and livelihoods. Without immediate action, many more lives may be lost.”
While some reports put the death toll at over 100, the Benue State Government confirmed 45 deaths.
Tersoo Kula, spokesperson for the governor, said officials and security personnel had visited the scene and confirmed the attack, which reportedly lasted about two hours.
Locals, however, said the toll could be much higher. “It is terribly bad, many people have died. It could be more than 100,” said Amineh Liapha Hir, a resident.
Another witness, Christian Msuega, said he escaped the attack but lost his sister and brother-in-law, who were burned alive in their home.
The attack is the latest in a series of deadly clashes between armed herders and farming communities in the region, driven by disputes over land and water resources.
Just last month, gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in Gwer West, another part of Benue State.
Amnesty International urged the government to investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice, warning that continued inaction would further deepen insecurity and humanitarian crises in the region.
