President Bola Tinubu is visiting Benue State today, Wednesday, following last Friday’s massacre in Yelewata community where over 200 villagers were killed by suspected herdsmen.
Tinubu had earlier announced that he would shift his schedule to pay a condolence visit, after facing heavy criticism for not showing up earlier. The attack, described as the deadliest in Benue’s recent history, left scores of children, women, and the elderly dead, with entire homes burned to the ground.
Before the Yelewata tragedy, similar attacks were recorded in Edikwu-Ankpali, Apa LGA and Tyoshin in Naka, Gwer East LGA. Armed herdsmen also reportedly struck communities in Enugu and Abia States, including Eha-Amufu and Umunneochi, leaving residents in fear and many dead.
In Enugu, locals reported that attackers stormed Aguamede community silently with machetes, killing at least 10 people. In Abia, officials confirmed a recent deadly raid in Umunneochi, where homes were set ablaze and several lives were lost.
Prof. Joy Ezeilo, former UN Special Rapporteur, called for a thorough investigation and swift justice, warning that the crisis reflects worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
Security analyst Dr. Kabiru Adamu described Tinubu’s visit as a political gesture rather than a security solution, urging the president to implement a robust and effective security framework to prevent further bloodshed.