The United Nations, through Secretary-General António Guterres, issued a strong condemnation of the recent violent attacks in Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The assaults, which occurred in the early hours of June 10, 2025, left an estimated 200 civilians dead, with many killed in their sleep by armed assailants. Guterres described the violence as “heinous and deeply disturbing,” emphasizing the need for immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
According to reports from local authorities and eyewitnesses, the attackers, suspected to be armed herders, stormed the village with sophisticated weapons, including automatic rifles. The assault targeted vulnerable residents, including women, children, and the elderly, resulting in widespread destruction of homes and farmlands. Over 5,000 people have been displaced, seeking refuge in makeshift camps in nearby towns, where humanitarian conditions remain dire.
Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq, in a press briefing on June 16, 2025, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing the crisis. He noted that the UN is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local partners to provide emergency aid, including food, shelter, and medical supplies. Haq also called for enhanced security measures to prevent further attacks in Benue, a region long plagued by farmer-herder conflicts.
President Bola Tinubu, responding to the tragedy, condemned the attacks as “barbaric” and vowed to visit Benue State on June 18, 2025, to assess the situation firsthand. Tinubu’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of recurring violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, with analysts pointing to inadequate security infrastructure and unresolved land disputes as key drivers. The President’s planned visit aims to engage community leaders and explore long-term solutions, including potential reforms to the country’s security framework.
The Benue State Government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, has declared a three-day mourning period and promised to support affected families. Local officials have reported challenges in managing the influx of displaced persons, with limited resources straining existing relief efforts. Governor Alia has appealed for federal and international assistance to address the humanitarian fallout and rebuild devastated communities.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Benue-based Justice, Development, and Peace Commission, have echoed the UN’s call for accountability. They have urged the Nigerian government to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that those responsible face prosecution. Activists have also highlighted systemic issues, such as the proliferation of small arms and the lack of effective conflict resolution mechanisms, as contributors to the ongoing violence.
The Yelewata attacks are part of a broader pattern of violence in Benue State, where farmer-herder clashes have claimed thousands of lives over the past decade. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates that Benue recorded over 1,200 conflict-related deaths in 2024 alone. The conflict, rooted in competition over land and water resources, has been exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and ethnic tensions.
The UN has stressed the importance of addressing root causes to achieve lasting peace. In a statement, Guterres advocated for dialogue between farmers and herders, alongside investments in rural development and climate resilience. He also called on regional and international partners to support Nigeria’s efforts to stabilize the region and protect vulnerable populations.
Civil society groups in Nigeria have organized protests in Abuja and Makurdi, demanding stronger government action. Demonstrators have criticized the slow response of security forces during the Yelewata attacks, noting that reinforcements arrived hours after the assailants had fled. Public frustration has fueled calls for the establishment of state police, a proposal currently under debate in Nigeria’s National Assembly.
The international community has also weighed in, with the European Union and the United States expressing solidarity with the victims. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, condemned the attacks as “unacceptable” and pledged humanitarian support. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja issued a statement urging Nigerian authorities to prioritize citizen safety and address impunity for such crimes.
Efforts to provide relief to displaced persons are underway, but challenges remain. Humanitarian agencies report that overcrowded camps lack adequate sanitation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that $1.2 billion is needed to address Nigeria’s humanitarian needs in 2025, with Benue among the hardest-hit regions.
As investigations into the Yelewata attacks continue, security experts have called for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the crisis.
The UN’s condemnation has placed renewed pressure on Nigeria to act decisively. Guterres emphasized that impunity for such atrocities undermines trust in institutions and fuels further violence. He expressed hope that the Nigerian government would work with all stakeholders to deliver justice and prevent future tragedies.
In Yelewata, survivors are grappling with profound loss. Community leaders have called for psychosocial support to help residents cope with trauma, alongside urgent rebuilding efforts. The resilience of the community, they say, depends on swift and sustained action from both national and international actors.
