President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has touched down in Makurdi, Benue State capital, as part of a high-stakes visit to address the recent massacre in Yelewata village that left more than 100 people dead and hundreds displaced.
The presidential visit comes five days after gunmen launched a devastating assault on the Guma Local Government Area community, in what human rights organization Amnesty International has characterized as among the most brutal attacks witnessed in the region in recent years.
The President’s itinerary prioritizes direct engagement with the affected community, beginning with a visit to Yelewata village where the Friday night massacre unfolded. During this segment of his visit, Tinubu is scheduled to meet directly with bereaved families, displaced residents, and local leaders who witnessed the carnage firsthand.
The presidential delegation will also tour medical facilities treating survivors who sustained gunshot wounds and burn injuries during the attack, providing an opportunity to assess the scale of casualties and ongoing medical needs in the aftermath of the violence.
The assault on Yelewata occurred during the late hours of Friday, June 13, when heavily armed attackers descended on the village, firing indiscriminately at residents and setting residential buildings ablaze. The systematic nature of the attack resulted in significant casualties, with many victims being internally displaced persons who had previously fled violence from neighboring communities.
Following his community visit, President Tinubu will convene a comprehensive stakeholder meeting at the Benue State Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, bringing together a broad coalition of political, security, traditional, and civil society representatives to address the escalating security challenges.
The high-level gathering will include governors from across the North Central geopolitical zone, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, All Progressives Congress National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, who previously served as Benue State Governor. Former Governor Samuel Ortom, who led the state from 2015 to 2023, is also expected to participate in the discussions.
The meeting represents a significant mobilization of political leadership, with federal lawmakers representing affected constituencies, Benue State House of Assembly members, and APC National Working Committee members all confirmed for attendance. Traditional rulers from across Benue State, executive chairmen from all 23 local government areas, religious leaders, party officials, and civil society representatives have been assembled for the session.
State officials and emergency responders have confirmed that the death toll from the Yelewata attack exceeds 100 people, with dozens of residents still reported missing. The tragedy was compounded by the fact that many victims were already displaced persons who had sought refuge in Yelewata after fleeing previous incidents of violence in surrounding areas.
Hundreds of survivors are currently receiving medical treatment for various injuries sustained during the attack, while state authorities have launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators responsible for the massacre. The scale of displacement has created additional humanitarian challenges, with emergency services working to provide shelter and basic necessities for those who lost their homes in the assault.
The presidential visit underscores the federal government’s recognition of the deteriorating security situation in Benue State, which has experienced recurring cycles of communal violence and criminal attacks in recent years. The state has struggled with conflicts involving farmers and herders, as well as attacks by armed groups that have displaced thousands of residents and disrupted agricultural activities.
President Tinubu’s direct engagement with affected communities and stakeholders signals an elevated federal response to the security crisis, with expectations that concrete measures will emerge from the high-level consultations in Makurdi. The visit also provides an opportunity for local leaders to present their security concerns directly to the president and advocate for enhanced protection measures for vulnerable communities.
The Yelewata massacre has reignited national discussions about rural security challenges and the need for comprehensive strategies to protect farming communities from armed attacks that have become increasingly frequent across Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
