…As protesters barricade Makurdi -Lafia Federal Highway
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Suspected alleged Lakurawa terrorists and armed herders , on Monday attacked Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Killing three persons and three persons others.
It was gathered that the attackers, allegedly came from neighbouring Nasarawa State and attacked the community at 7:00 am on Monday, shooting sporadically.
Yelwata was attacked on June 13 with about 200 people killed in the midnight attack on the community.
Following the attack, many villagers reportedly barricaded the Makurdi/Lafia/Abuja expressway protesting the killing, displaying the dead bodies.
The protesters including youths and women blocked the federal highway, protesting the killing of their loved ones, marching towards the Benue Governor’s house, and demanding better security.
Eyewitness who spoke to journalists in Makurdi on condition of anonymity, said the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management who is also in charge of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, James Aôndoakaa Iorpuu, was busy in Abuja visiting the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress. National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, could not be reached to get his ministry’s Immediate response to the incident.
”The attackers ambushed the villagers who were going to their farms to get food. The incident occurred just 300 yards from a security base in Yelewata town.
“Two of the victims of the attack have been evacuated by their families to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital”, the eyewitness stated.
But a youth leader identified who identified himself as Achii Matthias also told journalists on Monday that the killing caused protest in the community.
“Three people were killed and three others were injured, our people are protesting because despite the presence of about 200 security men in Yelwata and environs, the fulanis still attack today in a broad day light.
He added, “As I am talking to you now, the Security Adviser to the governor and Chairman of Guma LGA are here assessing the situation “.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to governor Hyacinth Alia on security and internal affairs, Joseph Har confirmed the report and said that the attack happened in a community closed to Yelwata.
Har said, “It’s true there was attack. today, and it happened in a community closed to Yelwata, three people were killed and three others injured the road that was blocked has been opened.
Spokesperson for Benue State Command, DSP, Udeme Edet said she would soon respond to the incident.
She said, “Please, I will soon get back to you on the incident.”
The Benue State police command confirmed the development.
The command police public relations officer DSP Udeme Edet said in a statement on Monday, 11/8/2025 at about 0500 hours, that some gunmen suspected to be bandit herdsmen attempted to invade Udei town in Guma local government area, but police tactical units deployed to Udei repelled them after engaging them in a shootout and they escaped through the border forest.
She also said that at about 0700hrs, Police tactical teams deployed to Yelewata, heard gun shots from armed men heading towards Yelwata town .
