In-Depth: Escalating Gunmen Attacks Ravage North-Central Nigeria
Benue State Hit by Deadly Assault, Over 100 Feared Dead
ABUJA, NIGERIA – A wave of escalating violence continues to grip Nigeria, particularly its north-central region, as gunmen launch relentless attacks on communities, leading to widespread displacement and significant casualties. The latest and most devastating incident occurred between late Friday and early Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Yelewata, a community in the Guma area of Benue State, leaving at least 100 people dead according to Amnesty International Nigeria.
The human rights organization, in a Facebook post, described horrifying scenes of families trapped and burned alive in their homes, with many bodies burnt beyond recognition. Dozens remain missing, and hundreds have been injured, many without adequate medical care. Graphic videos and photographs circulating on social media platforms depict the grim aftermath, showing numerous corpses and charred houses.
Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the Benue State police, confirmed the attack but did not provide specific casualty figures, stating that the situation was still being assessed on the ground. However, local residents and Amnesty International fear the death toll exceeds 100, with Christian Msuega, a survivor, reporting his sister and brother-in-law died after being burned alive.
Root Causes of the Persistent Violence
While the perpetrators of the latest Yelewata attack remain unidentified by authorities, such incidents are tragically common in Nigeria’s northern and central regions. The violence is largely attributed to long-standing clashes between local herders, predominantly of Fulani origin, and settled farmers. These conflicts often revolve around limited access to land and water resources.
Farmers accuse herders of allowing their livestock to graze on and destroy crops, while herders maintain they are following traditional grazing routes, some of which were legally recognized as far back as 1965, five years after Nigeria’s independence. Benue State, often referred to as the “food basket of the nation,” has become a particularly volatile flashpoint for these herder-farmer clashes in recent years.
A Pattern of Escalating Brutality
The attack in Yelewata is not an isolated incident but rather part of a disturbing pattern of escalating insecurity across the country. Just last month, gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue. In April, a similar attack claimed at least 40 lives in the neighboring Plateau State.
Beyond herder-farmer conflicts, Nigeria faces a multifaceted security crisis, including banditry and kidnappings for ransom, particularly in the Northwest, and the resilient Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. HumAngle Media’s tracker reported that at least 635 people were killed and 182 abducted across Nigeria in May 2025 alone, marking the highest monthly death toll this year.
In January 2025, at least 21 government-backed fighters were ambushed and killed by bandits in Katsina State. The issue of mass kidnappings, particularly of schoolchildren, has also been a significant concern, with hundreds abducted in Kaduna and Sokoto states in March 2024. While many have been released, the incidents highlight the pervasive threat and the challenges faced by security forces.
Impact on Socio-Economic Development
The persistent insecurity has severe implications for Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Studies indicate that insecurity significantly impacts Gross Domestic Product (GDP), per capita income, and business activities. It deters foreign investment, disrupts agricultural activities, trade, and overall economic stability. The widespread fear and uncertainty have led to the closure of businesses and increased unemployment, particularly in the hardest-hit regions.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dispatched a delegation to Yelewata to support the victims’ families, emphasizing the government’s commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice. However, with the ongoing bloodshed, human rights organizations like Amnesty International continue to press the Nigerian authorities for immediate action to stem the violence and ensure the protection of lives and livelihoods. The failure to do so, they warn, will lead to further loss of life and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
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