The Yelwata gunmen attack devastated families in Benue State, Nigeria, as heavily armed men stormed the village on Friday night. Farmer Fidelis Adidi fled during the chaos but returned the next morning to a horrific scene. His wife and four children had died in a fire set inside the market room where he had hidden them for safety. His second wife and another child survived with serious injuries.
Amnesty International confirmed the Yelwata gunmen attack left nearly 100 people dead. Fidelis stood outside the burnt structure, his eyes filled with shock. “My body is weak and my heart keeps racing,” he said. “I lost five of my family members.” All around him, scorched farming tools and burnt food lay beside the bodies of other victims.
This wave of violence follows a pattern plaguing Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Because this region separates the Muslim-majority north from the Christian-majority south, it often experiences ethnic and religious conflict. As herders and farmers compete for land, the situation has grown worse. Climate change and weak local governance have also increased tension. The Yelwata gunmen attack reflects how dangerous this conflict has become.
President Bola Tinubu, reacting to the killings, called them “depressing.” He plans to visit Benue on Wednesday—his first trip there since taking office two years ago. Survivors like Fidelis hope that this visit will bring more than sympathy. For too long, affected communities have received little protection, and most attacks go unresolved.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency said the violence forced at least 3,000 people to flee. Relief groups have stepped in to assist. Together, they’re providing shelter, food, and medical care. Although these efforts have helped, the needs still far outweigh the aid provided. The humanitarian response must scale quickly to meet growing demands.
Market vendor Talatu Agauta, who is pregnant with her second child, ran for safety that night. She returned to find all 40 bags of rice she had stored burned to ashes. Though the loss hit her hard, she chose to stay. “This is home,” she said. “We have nothing left, but we will rebuild.”
Clearly, the Yelwata gunmen attack reveals urgent gaps in Nigeria’s national security. Instead of waiting for more violence, the government should implement stronger land use policies, promote peaceful dialogue, and fund community protection. Long-term peace will require more than military intervention—it demands economic support, local cooperation, and justice for victims.
Although the survivors grieve, they also show resilience. People like Fidelis and Talatu serve as powerful reminders of human strength. Their voices call for urgent change. If leaders act with courage and focus, the country can stop this violence from defining its future. The Yelwata gunmen attack must not become just another statistic. It should be a turning point.
READ: Kwararafa University Student Ahenjir Emmanuella Killed by Stray Police Bullet