What is happening in Benue
This edition focuses on what has happened in Benue, the government’s response and Nigeria’s very real multiple terrorist problem.
In this edition:
The Horrid events in Benue
The Government’s response
Nigeria’s terrorism problem
Recent Attack in Benue
In the past few weeks, Nigeria has been hit by several tragedies — from the rising death toll caused by heavy rainfall, to warnings that some Nigerian states could disappear due to severe flooding by 2050, and now the recent attacks in Benue State. It seems no one is catching a break.
On the night of Friday, June 13-14, 2025, armed assailants attacked the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State.
According to reports, more than 200 people have died across different communities in the state. While some news publications have linked the attacks to Fulani herdsmen and communal clashes, some residents of the Tiv community have stated that the attacks were orchestrated to take control of their land.
A spokesman for the Fulani community stated that his people weren’t behind the attacks.
The community members also blamed the government for not enforcing stricter security and economic policies that address the people's needs.
The Tragic Aftermath of the Attacks
When the attacks began in Yelwata, several villagers escaped, but what they returned to was a traumatic site.
Farmers and traders like Fidelis Adidi returned to find their family members had been incinerated in fires set to their homes and land. Adidi lost five members
Others lost their property and sources of livelihood to the fires.
Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency disclosed that it is working to help at least 3,000 displaced persons affected by the attacks.
Conflicting death toll numbers
Several news agencies like Aljazeera, the BBC and Punch, citing local sources, said over 100 people died in the attacks, while a spokesperson from the government house claimed 45 people died
Amnesty International corroborated the death toll of 100 residents and pointed out that last month, 20 residents died in a similar attack.
Over 3,000 residents have been displaced
Following the horrible attacks, more than 3,000 people - including 400 children - have been displaced and relocated to the Ultra International Modern Market IDP Camp.
While offering shelter to the displaced people is a good step, this is slowly becoming the norm in Nigeria. These IDP camps are becoming crowded, limiting their access to basic amenities.
Between 2024 and 2025, over 450,000 people have been displaced. With limited access to food, health care services, security, education, and zero protection for women and children, these residents are currently living under harsh conditions.
Reactions
Local response:
Protests in Makurdi
In response to the attacks in Benue, the youths in Makurdi led a protest in the Wurukum area. They barricaded the road while vehemently condemning the attacks and demanding action over the killings.
However, they were attacked by police officers…
Sam Ode, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, attempted to address the protesters but was immediately shunned. The protesters were later confronted by police officers, who fired tear gas at them - where is this energy when it's time to fight the actual attackers?
Government response:
After the President’s delayed response to the attacks, he finally visited the state four days after the incident. There, he held a town hall meeting with community leaders, community members and the press.
During his visit, he condemned the killings, criticised the police for not making any arrests, and visited some of the victims of the attacks who were in the hospital.
However, he didn’t visit Yelwata, where the attacks were carried out, citing the “bad roads and rainfall” as reasons for not visiting the community. But, school children could stand under the rain to welcome his entourage even though there was a “public holiday.”
During a meeting with traditional leaders in Makurdi, General Christopher Musa shared that he had directed military commanders to “apprehend everyone behind the attacks”.
Criticism:
Following the attacks and the president’s slow response, many Nigerians have criticised the state of the country’s security agencies, asking the government to declare a state of emergency in Benue State.
Recall that a state of emergency was declared in Rivers State after the continuous political scuffle in the state; however, it appears the bloodshed in Benue state doesn’t require the same verdict.
Instead, the House of Assembly and other government officials have been blaming themselves for the attacks, stating that they need to implement stricter security measures in Nigeria.
But while everyone is playing the blame game, the attacks are spreading. Reports have emerged that another attack has occurred in Plateau State - attackers set a bus from Kanuda, arriving in Plateau for a wedding, on fire and killed 12 of its 31 occupants.
Follow-up actions since the incident
Since the attacks, military and police officers have been ordered to track down and arrest those responsible for the attacks. Several organisations have also donated to the affected communities.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also deployed relief materials to the affected communities. The relief material deployment was a joint effort between NEMA and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other agencies.
Similar incidents in Nigeria
These attacks have gotten deadlier and more frequent over the years in the Middle Belt. More communities are losing their members and lands to these frequent attacks experts have claimed to have been caused by migration, competition for limited land and water, religion, and conflict escalation.
Between May 2023 - May 2024, 1,043 people have been killed in Benue State, with countless injured and missing.
These attacks are also happening in states like Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna.
There are also the terrorist attacks across Northern Nigeria, where terrorists are so emboldened and bold now that they are attacking army bases and killing soldiers
Political analysts have stated that without the right actions, these attacks will continue.
Meanwhile, War of the Worlds?
The United States, in cahoots with Israel, bombed three nuclear sites in Iran—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The US used "bunker buster" bombs, targeting deeply buried facilities crucial to Iran's nuclear ambitions. The extent of damage and casualties have not yet been revealed.
Iran, when confirming the attack, said it is a violation of international law and reserved the right to retaliate.
Some US politicians are supporting Trump's actions while others criticised him for bypassing Congress and risking involvement in a Middle East conflict.
Donald Trump defended the strikes, warning of further action unless Iran pursued a diplomatic solution.
Shortly after the US strikes, Iran launched missiles towards Israel, injuring at least 20 people.
Leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticised the attacks as a dangerous escalation, urging dialogue.
The conflict started when Israel bombed Iranian nuclear and military targets, which led to back-and-forth attacks with Iran and Israel over the past week.
Overall, the situation is unstable, like a volcano preparing to erupt, and I am nervous af
Let’s not forget that Israel is still killing Palestinians every day
This edition was written by Hope Ibiale and Adetomiwa. That New News is an independent, self-funded project by me (Adetomiwa). Thank you for reading, sharing and donating. I love you like I birthed you 😘