Benue Still Bleeds: 107 Victims Fighting to Stay Alive

The Benue State Government has confirmed that 107 survivors of the June 13 massacre in Yelwata are still receiving treatment.

Diaspora Digital Media reported that the attack by suspected herdsmen claimed over 200 lives, leaving dozens injured and displaced.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorpuu, disclosed this on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

He made the statement while hosting the Director General of SEMA from Nasarawa State and the Secretary of Plateau State SEMA in Makurdi.

According to Iorpuu, the massacre was part of a long-standing wave of violence that dates back to 2011.

He warned that the attacks are escalating rather than reducing.

“This visit strengthens our bond with Nasarawa and Plateau. We must unite to stop attackers from using Nasarawa as a launchpad into Benue communities,” Iorpuu said.

The visiting officials from Nasarawa and Plateau states said they were in Benue to commiserate with the victims and understand the state’s humanitarian response strategies.

They also emphasized the need for collaborative action across the North-Central region to end herder-led attacks and the destruction of farmlands.

“Together, our states can resist the aggression and strengthen our communities through prayer, planning, and shared resilience,” one official stated.

They praised Benue’s disaster response approach and said lessons learned from the state would guide broader regional strategy.

The teams pledged to boost community awareness and early warning systems, especially ahead of the expected flood season in Benue.

They noted that the North-Central region remains highly vulnerable to both natural disasters and man-made conflicts.

Better coordination, they said, will help protect lives and farms across state borders.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, promised media support.

He said journalists will continue to sensitize rural communities and push for improved border security measures.

The massacre at Yelwata has once again spotlighted the failure to end decade-long violence between farming communities and armed herders.

Many displaced families remain in makeshift shelters as Benue grapples with the aftermath.

Hospitals in Makurdi continue to operate under pressure as survivors battle physical and emotional wounds.

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