Benue Massacre: PDP Alleges Police Bias in Yelwata Killings Investigation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as selective arrests by Nigerian security agencies following the recent massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred in mid-June 2025, saw suspected armed herders launch a deadly, coordinated assault on Yelwata and nearby communities. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants split into groups some stormed the local police station while others moved house to house, shooting residents and setting properties ablaze.

Survivors recounted horrifying scenes. “In this house, 40 people were killed; 35 died in the next. Children were massacred and burnt to ashes,” one distraught resident shared.

Amnesty International reported that the death toll in Yelwata alone exceeded 100, while local leaders estimated that more than 200 people were killed across Guma and neighbouring areas. The attack also destroyed over 200 bags of rice valued at ₦25 million, worsening the plight of displaced villagers.

A leaked memo revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier alerted the military about a planned militia attack on Yelwata, but no preventive action was taken.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Benue State chapter of the PDP accused the police and other security agencies of targeting only individuals suspected to be supporters of the opposition in their investigations.

“We strongly condemn the ongoing selective arrests by security agencies regarding the Yelwata killings. Victims and their families deserve justice—not political witch-hunts,” the PDP said.

The party emphasized that the government’s handling of the situation has escalated fear and insecurity in the region and warned that biased law enforcement could inflame political tensions and erode public trust in security institutions.

“Security agencies must act with professionalism and impartiality. Justice must be served transparently, regardless of political affiliations,” the statement added.