At least 100 people were killed late Friday in a brutal attack on Yelewata village in Nigeria’s Benue state, according to Amnesty International Nigeria. The human rights group described the incident as a massacre, stating that many victims were burned alive in their homes and dozens more remain missing or critically injured.
“Many families were locked up and burnt inside their bedrooms,” Amnesty said in a social media statement. “Dozens injured and left without adequate medical care.”
The full death toll has not been confirmed by local authorities. Police spokesperson Udeme Edet confirmed the attack but declined to provide casualty figures, saying investigations were ongoing.
Benue state Governor Hyacinth Alia sent a delegation to the scene to assist grieving families and coordinate relief efforts.
Middle Belt Tensions Boil Over Again
Benue state lies in Nigeria’s volatile Middle Belt, where deadly clashes between herders and farmers—exacerbated by religious and ethnic tensions—have plagued communities for years. The region sits at the fault line between Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north and Christian south.
Competition over dwindling land and water resources has led to cycles of reprisal killings and large-scale displacement. Over 500 people have been killed in similar violence since 2019, according to figures from Nigerian geopolitical consultancy SBM Intelligence.
Recent Surge in Attacks
This latest attack follows a string of violent incidents in the region. In May, suspected herders killed at least 20 people in Benue’s Gwer West district. In April, 40 were slaughtered in Nigeria’s Plateau state in a similar raid.
Eyewitness accounts and videos shared on social media show the aftermath of the Yelewata massacre—burned-out homes, scattered corpses, and survivors searching through rubble.
Authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the attack, and no group has claimed responsibility. However, observers point to escalating herder-farmer clashes as the likely cause.
Calls for Justice and Security
Human rights organizations and local leaders are calling for increased security and long-term solutions to land and resource disputes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“This must not become just another number in Nigeria’s long list of tragedies,” Amnesty International wrote. “Justice and protection for vulnerable communities must be a national priority.”
As Benue mourns its dead, the incident underscores the growing insecurity and urgent need for reform in one of Nigeria’s most unstable regions.
