Over 200 People Killed In Benue By Suspected Herdsmen From Nasarawa – Governor Hyacinth Alia

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has confirmed that over 200 people were killed in a brutal attack in Yelwata by suspected herdsmen from Nasarawa State.

Speaking to reporters at the Government House on Sunday, Governor Alia said the number of deaths was confirmed after a headcount by security operatives working closely with victims’ families.

He revealed that some of the victims included soldiers and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were trying to protect the community.

Governor Alia also acknowledged Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for providing intelligence that helped shed more light on the attack, which also left a woman dead on the Nasarawa side of the border.

The Benue governor made these statements while receiving a report from an investigative panel looking into armed group activities in the Sankera area.

He assured the public that everyone mentioned in the report would be properly investigated, promising to forward the findings to the appropriate authorities to help restore peace to the region.

The assault on Yelwata happened late Friday night, when gunmen believed to be herdsmen stormed the town.

On Sunday morning, anger spilled into the streets. Youths in Makurdi, the state capital, gathered at the Wurukum food basket roundabout to protest the killings.

They were later joined by activist and social media personality Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who lent his voice to the demands for justice.

Reacting to the situation, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to act swiftly.

According to him, intelligence officers, police, and military forces have already been deployed to Benue to take charge of security efforts and bring stability back to the area.

KanyiDaily recalls that hundreds of women in Benue State took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the ongoing attacks by suspected herdsmen that have left many dead and displaced.