The Senate has called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy more military personnel to Yelewata and other affected communities in Benue State, following the gruesome killing of approximately 200 villagers in Guma Local Government Area on June 13, 2025.
The Upper Chamber also mandated security agencies to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the massacre and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The lawmakers unanimously condemned the attack, describing it as a “tragic genocidal massacre” and an act of mass violence against innocent Nigerians.
In a resolution passed during Wednesday’s plenary, the Senate urged the Federal Government to begin the reconstruction of properties destroyed during the attack and compensate victims for their losses. A minute of silence was observed in honour of those killed.
The resolutions followed a motion titled “Urgent need for the Federal Government to deploy more troops to Yelewata and other affected communities of Benue State to restore law and order,” sponsored by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West).
In presenting the motion, Senator Zam lamented the scale of the attack, noting that the killings were carried out in a “systematic manner never known before in the history of these attacks.” He cited reports from survivors and international human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which described the violence as well-coordinated and carried out with impunity.
Zam further decried the pattern of insecurity across Benue, pointing out that similar attacks had recently occurred in Aondoana and Naka towns in Gwer-West Local Government Area, where 50 lives were lost.
The senator also criticised the apparent failure of security agencies to respond promptly to prevent or reduce the scale of the killings and questioned the Benue State Government’s ability to utilise available security resources effectively.
However, the Senate commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response, including his visit to Benue State, the directive for the release of emergency relief materials through NEMA, and orders for a full investigation, which has already led to several arrests.
Additionally, the lawmakers praised Tinubu’s support for the establishment of ranches across the country, describing it as a sustainable solution to the ongoing herder-farmer conflict.
What you should know
Following the massacre of over 200 people in Yelewata, the Senate has demanded urgent military intervention, compensation for victims, and a full investigation. Lawmakers praised President Tinubu’s swift actions while urging more decisive steps to end the wave of violence in Benue.
