By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis took a tragic turn in Benue State as Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the killing of 59 persons, including security operatives, in Yelewata, a border community between Benue and Nasarawa states. The victims were reportedly slain in a well-coordinated attack by suspected armed herdsmen.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Sunday, Governor Alia debunked earlier reports that minimized the scale of the tragedy, stating that investigations by security agencies and bereaved families had established the full death toll.
“This was no random attack. It was an orchestrated invasion by armed herdsmen, some of whom crossed over from Nasarawa State. They struck with precision, leaving behind death and sorrow,” the governor declared.
Among the casualties were men of the Nigerian Army and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who lost their lives in the line of duty while attempting to defend the besieged community. One woman was also reportedly killed across the border in Nasarawa during the incursion.
Governor Alia expressed appreciation to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his quick coordination in intelligence sharing, which helped to prevent further escalation. But he also hinted at the calculated nature of the attack, noting that the precision and timing pointed to deep planning.
“This is a wake-up call,” Alia said. “We cannot allow these acts of terror to become routine. The lives lost in Yelewata must not be in vain.”
The announcement came on the heels of a report submitted to him by a special panel of inquiry investigating militia activities in Sankera and other violence-prone parts of the state. The governor stated that the panel’s findings would be used to guide future security interventions and policy decisions.
“We are determined to secure every community in Benue,” he said. “This government will not tolerate continued bloodshed. Those responsible for these attacks will face justice.”
As residents mourn the dead and demand stronger protection, many see this tragedy as a painful reminder of the urgent need for lasting solutions to Nigeria’s communal violence and security breakdown in rural areas.