Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the killing of scores of residents in Yelwata, Benue State, describing the attack as another grim reminder of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis. Atiku stated this on Saturday night through a post on his official X handle, calling the Yelwata killings “devastating” and urging Nigerians to hold leaders accountable for growing insecurity.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, June 14, 2025, was reportedly carried out by armed men suspected to be criminal herders. The violence left more than 100 people feared dead, including women, children, and the elderly.
Atiku Calls for Accountability Over Yelwata Killings
In his statement, Atiku said: “I am deeply anguished and shocked by the devastating news of the fresh attacks in Benue State, where over 100 innocent lives are feared lost. These killings, once again targeting defenceless communities, underscore the escalating insecurity crisis facing our nation.”
He called for urgent and transparent investigations into the killings and demanded that the perpetrators be identified and punished. “I urge the Federal Government and Benue State authorities to launch a prompt, transparent investigation into the attack. The identities of the perpetrators must be swiftly uncovered and justice served,” Atiku stated.
Beyond security intervention, he advised that support systems must be deployed for victims. “Compensation and support efforts, including medical aid, trauma counselling, and livelihood restoration should be accelerated for survivors and bereaved families,” he added.
Benue Youths Protest Government Silence on Yelwata Killings
On Sunday, angry youths staged a protest in Makurdi at the Wurukum food basket roundabout, demanding that the state and federal governments respond decisively to the killings in Yelwata. The demonstrators, made up of residents and youth groups, accused both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia of maintaining “deafening silence” over the attack.
One of the protesters, Solomon Amande, said: “We are angry at the silence of our leaders. Children and elderly people were killed, and nobody has said a word.”
When the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, attempted to address the protesters, they rejected him and insisted that only Governor Alia himself could speak to them. The situation escalated when security agents tried to disperse the gathering with tear gas, further provoking the already outraged crowd.
Atiku Condemns Yelwata Killings as Benue Youths Demand Action
The Yelwata killings have become another symbol of Nigeria’s deepening insecurity. Atiku’s condemnation of the Yelwata killings has reignited calls for leadership accountability, while the growing protests across Benue underscore the public’s demand for action. As long as communities continue to suffer such attacks in silence, the unrest in Nigeria’s Middle Belt will remain a pressing national concern. The Yelwata killings should not be dismissed as just another statistic.
