UN Condemns Benue Massacre, Urges Tinubu Government to Bring Perpetrators to Justice
By Ayodele Fayemi, Lagos
The United Nations has confirmed it is closely monitoring the escalating violence in Benue State, where over 100 people were recently killed in a brutal attack. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, stated, “We’re monitoring the situation. The Secretary-General condemns the killing of innocent civilians, including in Nigeria, and we hope that those responsible for this violence will be found and apprehended.”
This comes as national and international outrage intensifies over the continued bloodshed and the Nigerian government’s inability to stem the violence.
In a related development, Amnesty International released a strongly-worded statement condemning the killings, describing them as a sign that security measures in the state are failing. “The horrifying killing of over 100 people by gunmen that invaded Yelewata from late Friday into early Saturday shows the security measures government claims to be implementing in the state are not working,” the human rights group said.
Amnesty further urged Nigerian authorities to halt the near-daily killings and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. “The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice,” the statement read.
The Yelewata massacre also resulted in the deaths of three security personnel, while 16 others sustained injuries. The incident is part of a grim pattern of violence across the state. Just days earlier, on June 10, three youths were ambushed and killed in Edikwu-G’Icho, Apa Local Government Area, and another man, Sunday Dutse, was murdered on the Odugbeho-Ogbaulu road in Agatu LGA.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, in an earlier interview, lamented the worsening situation, describing it as a deliberate and organized assault. “We are under siege,” he said during an appearance on Channels Television. “This violence is directed, planned, and executed—it is not just spontaneous community clashes. We are receiving intel, and 60 to 65 percent of it has proven accurate.”
He further warned that the state is facing organized acts of terrorism.
A recent report by SBM Intelligence highlighted the scale of the crisis, revealing that more than 2,000 Nigerians were killed in the first quarter of 2025. Of that number, 101 were recorded in Benue State alone. The report also noted the deaths of 136 security personnel within the same period, reflecting a broader national security challenge.
In response to the public outcry, President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. According to an official statement, the president has rescheduled his planned visit to Kaduna State in order to prioritize Benue, as part of efforts to address the persistent violence.
“The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” the statement noted. During his visit, Tinubu is expected to meet with key stakeholders—including traditional rulers, political, religious, and community leaders, as well as youth groups—to seek lasting solutions.
Ahead of the visit, President Tinubu has already deployed top government and security officials to Benue, 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.
A town hall meeting is also planned as part of the president’s engagement with the community. His trip to Kaduna has been postponed to Thursday, June 19, 2025.
