The massacre in Benue State stands as one of the most harrowing episodes in Nigeria’s recent history, yet the deafening silence that surrounds it compounds the horror. On the night of June 13 and into the early hours of June 14, gunmen believed to be herders stormed the Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area. They opened fire on sleeping residents and set homes ablaze. Survivors described scenes of unimaginable terror. Families were trapped indoors, many perished in the flames, and others were gunned down while attempting to escape.
Over 100 people were confirmed dead, with many others either missing or severely injured. More than 300 families have been displaced. In the farming heartland of Nigeria, entire communities were wiped out in one night. Barns filled with harvested crops were reduced to ashes. Livestock was slaughtered or stolen. For a region that feeds a large portion of the nation, the blow was not only human but economic and symbolic.
Among the most disturbing aspects of the attack was the targeting of internally displaced persons. Many of those killed were already victims of earlier violence who had taken refuge in a mission shelter. That even the displaced and defenseless could be hunted in such brutal fashion underscores the level of impunity that has become normalized in the Middle Belt. The country watched, but leadership was slow to respond. Government reaction came late and lacked the urgency and gravity demanded by the situation.
The silence from those in power has deepened the wounds of the people. While political tensions in other regions have attracted swift federal intervention, the people of Benue have been left with platitudes and condolences. No state of emergency was declared despite the magnitude of the bloodshed. Across social media and community town halls, Nigerians are asking hard questions. Why does it seem that some tragic events receive more immediate attention than others of equal or even greater severity?
Human rights organizations, community leaders, and religious figures have all expressed outrage. They have warned that this silence, if continued, will send a dangerous message that some lives are worth less than others. The inability or unwillingness to bring perpetrators to justice encourages more attacks. The pattern is now sadly familiar. Armed herdsmen raid villages, kill residents, burn homes, and disappear without consequence. Survivors bury their dead, rebuild what they can, and live in constant fear of the next assault.
Benue State has become a killing field cloaked in bureaucracy. The law banning open grazing was enacted to reduce tensions between farmers and herders, but its enforcement remains weak. Armed groups roam freely, and the cycle of violence persists. Between February and early June alone, over 150 people were killed in attacks across Guma, Logo, and Gwer West. This latest massacre adds to a long list of atrocities that have gone unpunished.
President Tinubu later addressed the tragic incident and called for calm and unity among the affected communities. His appeal for peace reflected the need to prevent further escalation and maintain stability across the region. Although details of broader security changes have not been fully disclosed. The federal government emphasized the importance of responsible communication in this sensitive time, aiming to preserve national harmony. Many Nigerians remain hopeful that this will mark the beginning of more deliberate and coordinated efforts to address insecurity and uphold the safety of every citizen.
Benue’s farmers and families now live in a state of trauma, abandonment and fear. Their crops are gone, their children are buried, their faith in the nation is faltering. The rest of Nigeria must not look away. The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Massacres should not become background noise. Violence should not become routine.
The massacre in Benue is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need for unity, justice, and meaningful action. It challenges all Nigerians to reaffirm the values of humanity and equal protection under the law. Communities must not be left to grieve in isolation, and no group should ever feel forgotten. What Benue needs now is not just sympathy but a firm commitment to peace, safety, and healing. The path forward must be marked by compassion, accountability, and hope, ensuring that tragedies like this are never repeated and that every citizen, regardless of their location, can live without fear.
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