A devastating gun attack in Yelewata, a village in the Guma area of Benue state, Nigeria, has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, according to Amnesty International. The attack occurred overnight between Friday and Saturday, and it has left many families trapped and suffering. Witness accounts suggest that numerous victims were burned beyond recognition within their homes.
Amnesty’s Nigeria branch has expressed deep concern over the increasing violence in the region, highlighting the lack of adequate medical care for the hundreds injured and the alarming number of individuals still unaccounted for. The organization described the current situation as an “alarming escalation of attacks” throughout Benue state, emphasizing that the government’s inability to address the violence has dire consequences for local communities.
A police spokesperson from Benue confirmed the attack but refrained from providing specific casualty figures. This incident follows a recent trend of violence in the region, where herders and farmers often find themselves at odds over dwindling resources. For context, last month’s attacks linked to herders resulted in the deaths of at least 20 in the Gwer West area, while a separate incident in April claimed 40 lives in the neighboring Plateau state.
The ongoing conflict in Nigeria’s “middle belt,” where predominantly Muslim and predominantly Christian regions intersect, highlights escalating tensions fueled by disputes over land and water access. Farmers accuse herders, mostly of Fulani descent, of destroying crops by grazing their livestock, while herders argue that these lands have historically been recognized as grazing routes.
Despite the grim outlook, there is hope that increased awareness and advocacy may prompt action from the authorities to protect communities and prevent further loss of life. The urgent need for intervention underlines the importance of addressing underlying issues that contribute to this long-standing violence.