The United Nations has strongly condemned the ongoing wave of killings in Benue State, Nigeria, and has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the violence. This comes amid mounting outrage over the government’s apparent inability to halt the persistent massacres that have plagued the region.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, confirmed that the UN is closely monitoring the situation. He reiterated the Secretary-General’s condemnation of the killing of innocent civilians in Nigeria and expressed hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Amnesty International also issued a sharply worded statement following the recent massacre in Yelewata, where gunmen killed over 100 people from late Friday into early Saturday.
The organization criticized the ineffectiveness of current security measures, stating that the government’s efforts in Benue are failing to protect residents. Amnesty warned of a deepening humanitarian crisis and demanded that Nigerian authorities immediately end the near-daily violence and ensure those responsible are prosecuted.
The attack in Yelewata also claimed the lives of three security operatives and left 16 others injured, according to reports, This incident is part of a disturbing trend in Benue, which has seen a series of deadly attacks, including the ambush and killing of three youths in Edikwu-G’Icho, Apa LGA, and the murder of Sunday Dutse along the Odugbeho-Ogbaulu road in Agatu LGA just days earlier.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State described the situation as a state under siege, emphasizing that the violence is not random but rather organized, planned, and executed acts of terrorism. He revealed that 60 to 65 percent of intelligence received by the authorities has proven accurate, underscoring the seriousness of the threat.
Data from SBM Intelligence highlights the scale of the crisis: over 2,000 Nigerians were killed in the first quarter of 2025, with Benue State accounting for 101 of those deaths. During the same period, 136 security personnel lost their lives, painting a grim picture of the security challenges facing the country.
In response to public outcry, President Bola Tinubu has announced a visit to Benue State, rescheduling a planned trip to Kaduna.
According to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu will travel to Benue on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to assess the crisis firsthand and meet with key stakeholders—including traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, community representatives, and youth groups—in search of lasting solutions.
Ahead of his visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched high-level officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees, to Benue to lay the groundwork for peace efforts. The President is also expected to hold a town hall meeting with stakeholders during his stay.
This latest intervention underscores the urgency and gravity of the security and humanitarian crisis in Benue State, as both national and international actors demand decisive action to end the bloodshed and restore peace to the region.
