Yelewata, a border town between Nasarawa and Benue States, was struck by a devastating attack in the early hours of Saturday, as gunmen suspected to be armed herders invaded the community. The assault, which locals report began around 10:00 p.m. on Friday and continued until just before 1:00 a.m., left scores dead and many injured, with over 100 fatalities according to an anonymous resident.
The attackers stormed the town, unleashing terror on residents, killing indiscriminately, and setting several families ablaze. “It was nearly two hours of horror,” the local source recounted. The violence comes barely 48 hours after two other communities in Makurdi Local Government Area, Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa, were attacked, resulting in 25 deaths.
Confirming the incident, Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated that the attack occurred in the early hours of Saturday when suspected bandits invaded Yelewata. Police and tactical teams stationed in the town, along with reinforcements, responded swiftly, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange. “Unfortunately, some of the attackers were killed in the process,” Edet said, adding with regret that several individuals lost their lives and others sustained injuries.
Yelewata, less than a 40-minute drive from Benue’s capital, Makurdi, is the latest community to face such brutal violence. The recurring attacks in Benue State, which have become a grim pattern, have heightened fears among locals. Many residents express frustration, noting that the Nigerian government appears to be doing little to address the relentless killings, leaving communities vulnerable to further violence.
The police have vowed to pursue the attackers relentlessly, with Edet assuring residents that efforts to ensure their safety will not waver. “We have not relented, and we will continue to keep Benue people safe,” she said. However, the persistent nature of these attacks raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of security measures in the region as authorities struggle to curb the violence.
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