Benue Survivor at News Central’s Town Hall Meeting.
At the News Central Town Hall meeting held in Makurdi recently, the pain and trauma of Benue’s recent violence came into sharp focus as survivors of the Yelewata massacre shared harrowing testimonies before a somber audience.
The event, themed “Crisis in the Heartland: Ending the Cycle of Violence in Benue,” brought together community leaders, security officials, civil society representatives, and those most affected by the ongoing bloodshed.
One survivor, her voice trembling with emotion, recounted the night her world was shattered. “In the night, around 10 pm, the Fulanis entered and started shooting, they struck down our door. They killed my children and mother; they cut them with machetes,” she said, drawing tears and gasps from many in attendance.
Her words captured the terror that swept through Yelewata on June 13, when armed assailants stormed the community, killing indiscriminately and razing homes. According to reports, the attackers targeted both local residents and internally displaced persons seeking refuge in the area, leaving devastation in their wake.
The scale of the tragedy has been staggering. Over 100 people were confirmed dead in the Yelewata attack, with some sources estimating the toll could be as high as 200. Victims included women, children, and the elderly, many of whom were cut down in their homes or while fleeing the violence. The massacre followed a series of coordinated assaults across Benue State, which has seen more than 1,000 deaths in the past two years due to ongoing clashes and reprisal attacks.
The Town Hall meeting provided a platform for survivors, traditional rulers, and civil society to demand accountability and urgent intervention. Many called for a rapid security response and justice for victims, urging authorities to end the cycle of impunity and protect vulnerable communities.
President Bola Tinubu has visited the region, directing security agencies to apprehend perpetrators and forming committees to foster peace. However, frustration at the slow pace of justice and continued insecurity was palpable among participants.
Many expressed frustrations with the slow pace of justice and ongoing insecurity, calling for stronger security measures and accountability. Jonathan -Ichaver, condemning the attacks in stark terms, said “These attacks are genocidal. There is an ethnic cleansing going on in Benue state”.
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Tavershima Orlalumunga, a local farmer and victim of the massacre also shared his ordeal saying that “the attackers cut my hand for refusing the cows to feed on my crops”.
The violence has also triggered a humanitarian crisis, with more than 6,500 people displaced by the recent attacks. Many are now seeking shelter in overcrowded camps and facing dire conditions as they await relief and the restoration of safety in their communities.
The Managing Director of News Central TV, Mr. Kayode Akintemi, also addressed the participants and reiterated the Station’s commitment to upholding the truth and furthering solutions oriented journalism.
As the session concluded, the voices of survivors like the Yelewata mother served as a stark reminder of the human cost of the crisis. Community leaders and civil society renewed calls for reconciliation, security sector reform, and sustained support for victims. The News Central Town Hall continues to shine a light on the urgent need for peace and justice in Benue State, amplifying the voices of those who have lost the most.