Benue Killings: Top Security Chiefs Arrive in Yelwata After Attack Leaves 59 Dead

MAKURDI, Benue State – Grieving families were still burying their dead when Nigeria’s highest-ranking security officials arrived in the Yelwata community Monday. They came to a town shattered by a weekend attack that killed 59 people, promising a new approach to end the persistent Benue killings.

The assault on Friday, blamed on suspected armed herders, also forced more than 3,000 people from their homes. The visit by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police signals a high-level federal response to the crisis engulfing Nigeria’s agricultural heartland.

‘We Have to Change Our Strategy’

On the ground in Yelwata, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, offered a direct order to his commanders and a plea to the community.

“We are tired of innocent souls being killed, and we’re here to ensure that we address such,” General Musa said, acknowledging the failures of past efforts. “We have to change our strategy… but we cannot do it alone without the community.”

He warned that collaborators living within the towns often aid the attackers, a challenge that has complicated security operations across the region.

A Governor’s Plea Amidst Rising Death Toll

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia described the scene to the visiting chiefs as a “devastating” loss. He expressed hope that the show of force would finally bring calm.

“The presence of the Chief of Defence Staff and the IGP means quite much to me, and definitely to the people,” Governor Alia stated. “We now have an increased presence of different teams and squads, and that is going to create a huge difference.”

The Yelwata attack is the deadliest in a year that has already seen over 200 people killed in similar incidents across Benue, highlighting the immense scale of the insecurity. This violence is part of a wider pattern detailed in our report on the farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria.

Why This Matters: The Cycle of Violence

The conflict in Benue is not random. It is a long-running crisis rooted in disputes over land and resources between nomadic herders and local farming communities. These tensions have been worsened by illegal arms and organized criminal gangs. Key points include:

• Economic Impact: Benue is known as Nigeria’s “Food Basket.” Constant attacks disrupt farming, affecting food security nationwide.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Thousands are displaced, living in makeshift camps with limited resources.
• Failed Interventions: Despite repeated deployments of security forces, communities say the attacks continue, leading to a deep lack of trust.

Police Deploy Fresh Tactical Units

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun backed the military’s pledge with action, announcing the deployment of more tactical police teams to the area.

“A day will come when these bandits will come to operate as they used to, and they will never return,” the IGP vowed. “That day is drawing nearer.”

For the people of Yelwata, these are familiar promises. Citing official statements from Nigeria Police Force reports , previous deployments have offered temporary relief but not a lasting solution. The community now watches and waits, hoping this time will be different.

By Abiodun Labi