Saturday, January 17, 2026

107 victims still hospitalised after suspected herdsmen attack on Benue community: Official

Suspected bandits attacked and killed over 100 people in the Yelwata community on June 13.

• July 15, 2025
Community attacked by herdsmen
Northern community attacked by herdsmen [Credit: X.com]

The Benue State government, on Tuesday, said 107 Yelwata victims were still receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

The permanent secretary, Benue Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, James Iorpuu, disclosed this at a news briefing in Makurdi.

Suspected herdsmen attacked and killed over 100 people in the Yelwata community on June 13.

Mr Iorpuu, who is also the executive secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the state had witnessed sustained, coordinated fatal attacks since 2011 by bandits.

He prayed that what happened at Yelwata, which, he said, “had not happened anywhere in the world, should never happen again to any community.”

He commended his counterparts in Nasarawa and Plateau for coming to pay their condolences to the agency and state over the gruesome incident.

Earlier, the executive secretary of the Plateau SEMA, Sunday Abdu, and the director-general of Nasarawa SEMA, Ben Akwash, said they were in Benue on a solidarity visit.

Mr Abdu said they came to express their condolences to Benue SEMA and the people of the state over the Yelwata attack.

He assured the people that Benue and the country would continue to soar higher regardless of the aggression.

Mr Abdu said they were also in the state to understudy the agency’s operations so they could develop their own.

He urged the people to continue to pray for North-Central to overcome the incessant attacks on innocent citizens of the country.

Also, Mr Akwash, while sympathising with Benue people over the attack, said that Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau were one entity before their separation through state creation.

He also said they came to understudy the operations of Benue SEMA, so that they could make some adjustments and improvements in their state.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Police officers

States

Police probe killing of mother, six children in Kano

The police spokesperson said the victims were reportedly attacked with dangerous weapons by unknown hoodlums who broke into their house.

Yoweri Museveni

Africa

Uganda’s 81-year-old President Museveni wins, extends 40-year grip on power

Mr Museveni polled 72 per cent of the votes, while his main challenger, Bobi Wine, a music star, polled 25 per cent.

Governor Umaru Bago

States

Gov. Bago donates N50 million to Nigerian Army officers’ wives

The governor commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their commitment to the security of citizens’ lives and property.

President Bola Tinubu and Remi Tinubu disembarking from plane

Abuja

Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi trip

Mr Tinubu also said Nigeria aims to mobilise up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.

President Bola Tinubu

Politics

Rivers leaders pledge cross-party support for Tinubu in 2027

Mr Worlu said political actors chose cooperation over division to sustain the goodwill Rivers has enjoyed under Mr Tinubu’s administration.

Super Eagles

Hot news Home top

Nigeria beat Egypt in shootout to win AFCON 2025 bronze medal

Nigeria started the game on the back foot but managed to contain early threats from the Egyptian.