At least 100 people died when gunmen stormed the village of Yelewata in Nigeria’s central Benue state on Saturday, as per reports. The attack began late Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday. According to Amnesty, “many families were locked inside their bedrooms and burned,” as the attackers set homes on fire.
Dozens Injured, Many Still Missing
Moreover, Amnesty said that “many people are still missing,” while several injured survivors lack access to proper medical care. The rights group described the violence as part of a disturbing trend.
They stated, “Gunmen have been on a killing spree with utter impunity,” and warned the attacks are “causing massive displacement and may affect food security as majority of the victims are farmers.”
Violence Deepens Ethnic and Religious Tensions
Benue lies in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region that often suffers from clashes between herders and farmers. While herders seek land for grazing, farmers try to protect their crops. This competition for land frequently turns deadly.
Importantly, the area’s ethnic and religious mix—mostly Muslim in the North and Christian in the South—adds fuel to the conflict.
Attacks Continue Despite Past Warnings
Just last month, suspected herders killed at least 42 people in Benue’s Gwer West district. Furthermore, data from SBM Intelligence shows that since 2019, such violence has killed more than 500 people and forced around 2.2 million from their homes.
Clearly, the situation remains critical as villagers face ongoing attacks, loss of life, and rising displacement.
