Just in: Yelewata massacre: Over 300 burnt alive in Benue herdsmen attack

DDM News

The people of Yelewata, a quiet farming community in Benue State, will never forget June 13–14, 2025.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the date now marks one of the darkest chapters in the state’s history.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred on a Friday night, extending into early Saturday morning.

Survivors say the assailants, suspected to be armed herdsmen, arrived at about 10pm and began shooting and setting buildings on fire.

Hundreds of residents, including children, were reportedly hacked, shot, or burnt alive as they fled.

By Saturday morning, over 300 people were feared dead, and many more wounded.

Entire families perished, homes were destroyed, and smoke still hung in the air days later.

One of the survivors, Elder Amos, said, “In my 57 years on earth, I’ve never seen anything like this. My wife and children were all killed.”

The attack followed growing tension between local farmers and herders in the region.

Weeks earlier, traditional rulers in Tiv and Idoma communities had issued a deadline for herders to leave.

That ultimatum was not enforced, and the Yelewata massacre is now seen as the result.

Similar incidents were reported in Edikwu-Ankpali in Apa LGA and Tyoshin in Gwer East.

Among the victims was Pharmacist Matthew Iormba, who had just completed his housemanship in Kano.

He had returned home to celebrate his achievement with family before being burnt alive.

Another victim, Tsegba Lucy, lost her mother and five siblings.

She said, “My beloved mum and beautiful sisters. Go well till we meet again. I can’t stop crying.”

A footballer, Agande, returned from Makurdi to find ten family members killed.

Franc Utoo, a lawyer and politician from Yelewata, lost 33 family members and over 50 political supporters.

He said residents had prior intelligence about the attack and tried to take refuge in schools, churches, and market stalls.

These locations became targets due to the high number of people taking shelter there.

He explained that the attackers came in groups, diverting attention from the market, where they carried out the worst carnage.

While the Benue State Government claimed that only 59 people died, survivors disputed the figure.

Community leaders said more than 300 people were killed, with many bodies yet to be recovered or identified.

Samson, a youth leader in Daudu, said his family alone lost 33 members.

“Even my own list has 132 names. And that doesn’t include those from surrounding villages,” he said.

The Federal Government’s initial reaction further inflamed tensions.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga described the killings as “reprisal attacks.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia echoed this in a TV interview, prompting outrage.

Franc Utoo condemned the President’s response, calling it insensitive.

He said, “There was no mention of arresting the killers or helping survivors. Just a vague call for reconciliation.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, admitted over 200 had died.

Yet even that number, locals insist, doesn’t reflect the scale of the massacre.

The delay in the government’s response angered residents even more.

Governor Alia waited more than 48 hours before issuing a public statement.

Police and the Deputy Governor reportedly visited but left hurriedly.

When youths protested in Makurdi, demanding justice, 14 were arrested, including activist Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan).

Religious leaders and the global community have condemned the massacre.

In Rome, Pope Leo XIV described it as a “terrible massacre” and called for peace in Nigeria.

Yelewata is now a town of ruins, mourning its dead and uncertain about its future.

Below is a list of 127 victims confirmed dead by community sources:

Fanen Chii

Doom Chii

Terzungwe Chii

Edeember Uke

Aondodoo Uke

Adohi Dooga

Mbanyiar Dooga

Ikyoche Dooga

Awanboi Dooga

Regina Dooga

Adoo Dooga

Aondofa Dooga

Mathew Iormba

Apam Iormba

Philomena Iormba

Akama Iormba

Ngodoo Iormba

Kumawues Iormba

Nensha Iormba

Victoria Tsegba

Ngodoo Tsegba

Mimidoo Tsegba

Dorathy Tsegba

Msendoo Tsegba

Iorgyer Kyule

Ute Dooga

Shaadye Koornam

Sewuese Iorember

Dooshima Aondoana

Agbogo Aondoana

Erdoo Aondoana

Orsoja Ikpakyaa

Injinia Ikpakyaa

Chia Orshio

Uyina Orshio

Katie Orshio

Myuega Orshio

Usha Orshio

Philomena Orshio

Alia Orshio

Lydia Ajah

Terdoo Ajah

Iwuese Ajah

Orbuter Anya

Terzungwe Akpen

Aondohemba Akpen

Ushana Akpen

Shater Akpen

Mercy Akpen

Isaac Akpen

Doowuese Ugbah

Ngodoo Ugba

Manta Simon

Manta Laadi

Manta Iwuese

Doose Asoo

Aondosoo Asoo

Terlumun Fidelis

Yakov Shagwa

Margaret Shagwa

Erdoo Shagwa

Dooauur Shagwa

Sewuese Shagwa

Logo Ukô

Eunice Tyokuwa

Jude Aza

Kwaghhar Ordue

Doosuur Ordue

Terngu Nongotse

Msugh Nongotse

Dooshima Nongotse

Orlogbo Lamaaondo

Laadi Lamaaondo

Awan Shiôr

Aondohemba Ucha

Bonashe Uzer

Amaki Dende

Angbiandoo Dende

Festus Amaki

Mbaufe Ubi

Matthew Uto

Doopinen Uto

Kumater Uto

Terhile Uto

Versuwe Zerkohol

Mbakeren Aondovihi

Monday Aondovihi

Erdoo Aondovihi

Joe Aondovihi

Mwarga Aondovihi

Felicia Gwabo

Mary Gwabo

Terhemba Gwabo

Jirgema Gwabo

Mercy Dende

Lubem Dende

Uwundu Iorhemen

Gabriel Fide

Aondoana Fide

Ukese Fide

Averter Fide

Mwaraorga Fide

Terkimbir Solomon

Amina Kongo

Terkula Kongo

Doose Asoo

Aboi Asoo

Shater Amaki

Lumunga Gbem

Doose Ayom

Mama Mfanyi

Samson Uke

Aboi Korna

Aondoawase Lamaaondo

Ormbagba Utim

Mermber Lamaaondo

Doose Ordue

Torsaar Adam

Doose Adam

Nguyilan Adam

Terver Ucha

Agon Ucha

Aondohemba Ucha

Atuur Asom

Uvershigh Asom

Nongo Ulam

Aondoaver Ulam

Yelewata remains in mourning, as survivors ask: Will justice ever come?

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