Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has strongly condemned the deadly attack on Yelewata community, reportedly carried out by suspected armed herders.
The assault, which occurred late Friday in the Guma Local Government Area, near the Benue, Nasarawa border, left several people feared dead and over two dozen injured.
During a visit to the affected area on Sunday, June 15, Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, assured residents that the state government was taking urgent steps to restore peace.
“Governor Hyacinth Alia acknowledges and shares in your pains and grief caused by the attacks on your community by criminal elements suspected to be armed herdsmen,” the governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary.
He said the state was actively engaging federal security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to strengthen security efforts and find lasting solutions to recurring violence.
According to him, tactical response teams had started arriving in the state, with additional deployments planned for vulnerable communities.
He explained that response squads would begin operations in Benue from Sunday, alongside strategic dialogues to promote intelligence sharing.
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“The state’s joint operations units are also being strengthened, and the government will not relent in its utmost commitment to defending the lives and properties of all residents,” he added.
Alia urged religious, traditional, and political leaders to educate their youth against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that could worsen the crisis.
He further appealed to residents to report suspicious activity through official channels and rely only on credible sources for updates.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Guma Local Government, Maurice Orwough, confirmed the attack and said more than 26 people had been hospitalised.
Speaking to Channels Television after visiting the scene on Saturday, Orwough blamed armed herdsmen for the assault. He said they had earlier attempted to attack Daudu town but were stopped by the military.
He said the attackers then regrouped and launched a second strike on Yelewata around 11:30 pm, where only four soldiers were stationed, while over 100 armed men opened fire on residents.
Though he could not give an exact death toll, the chairman called for tighter surveillance to prevent further violence.