At least 100 people have been killed in a brutal gun attack on the village of Yelewata in Nigeria’s Benue state, according to Amnesty International Nigeria.
The assault began late Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday, leaving dozens missing and hundreds injured, many of whom lack access to adequate medical care.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Amnesty described the attack as particularly heinous, stating that "many families were locked up and burnt inside their bedrooms." The rights group added that numerous bodies were burnt beyond recognition, and shared graphic images and videos circulating on social media showing charred homes and corpses.
While Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police, confirmed the incident took place in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, the official death toll has yet to be disclosed.
Ongoing conflict between herders and farmers
Though no group has claimed responsibility, attacks of this nature are often linked to the longstanding conflict between herders and farmers in Nigeria’s northern and central regions. Farmers accuse Fulani herders of grazing livestock on their farmlands and destroying crops, while herders insist they are using grazing routes protected by a 1965 law.
The violence has intensified in recent months. In May, suspected herders killed at least 20 people in Benue’s Gwer West area. In April, over 40 people died in a similar attack in neighbouring Plateau state.
Government response
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dispatched a delegation to Yelewata to provide support for the families of the victims. Human rights groups and local residents continue to call for stronger security measures and long-term conflict resolution efforts in the region.
Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to investigate the killings and bring those responsible to justice, warning that failure to act would further embolden perpetrators.
