YELWATA KILLINGS

June 16, 2025

Lawyers Alert Condemns Massacre of Over 200 Persons in Yelewata, Benue State

Makurdi, Nigeria 

Lawyers Alert expresses deep sorrow and outrage over the horrific killings of over 200 defenceless persons on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria. This heinous attack, primarily targeting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), is a gross violation of the right to life and highlights the ongoing and unchecked violence against vulnerable populations in the region.

According to reports, over 90% of the victims were IDPs who had previously fled similar attacks, only to be hunted down, trapped, burned alive, or brutally butchered while seeking refuge in storage shelters. This atrocity is yet another tragic example of the daily terror faced by rural communities in Benue State.

Despite more than 1,000 deaths in Benue in the past year, due to similar attacks, not a single arrest, prosecution, or credible investigation has been carried out. The attackers, often moving in large numbers on motorcycles, continue to operate freely and with impunity, raising serious questions about the state’s capacity and will to protect its people.

Lawyers Alert calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently deploy a military battalion to protect Benue communities, establish a special intervention fund, and provide the tools, vehicles, intelligence, and equipment, needed to track and prosecute these perpetrators of this heinous crimes.

We acknowledge the recent statement by President Tinubu following the attack; however, the call for reconciliation between so-called “warring communities” demonstrates a serious misreading of the situation. There are no warring factions, Benue’s citizens are under siege by organized and well-armed marauders carrying out what amounts to ethnic cleansing and land grabbing. This is not communal conflict. It is genocide.

We further call on the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to show leadership and empathy. It is disheartening that following such a mass killing, the Governor’s failure to addressed the state, gives room for serious concern. In times of crisis, the people need a strong, vocal, and visible leadership that tells the truth and demands action from the federal government.

On State of Emergency

Lawyers Alert also notes recent calls for a state of emergency in Benue. While the insecurity is alarming, we emphasize that Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) permits emergency rule only under clear evidence of complete breakdown of governance. Benue’s democratic institutions remain functional; the real failure lies with federal security agencies. A declaration of emergency would undermine democratic governance and could set a dangerous precedent for circumventing constitutional order.

The Way Forward: Community-Based Security

Lawyers Alert strongly advocates for rights-based, community-led approaches to public safety. In partnership with security agencies and community stakeholders, we have successfully implemented the Community Policing and Accountability Project in Guma and Katsina-Ala LGAs, enhancing early warning systems, trust-building, and human rights-based policing in line with the Police Act 2020.

We call on federal and state governments to replicate and invest in Community Policing Committees (CPCs) as provided in the law. These locally rooted structures have proven effective in strengthening community resilience, reducing violence, and restoring public trust in security agencies.

Sgd

Rommy Mom PhD

President, Lawyers Alert

For more information, please contact:

Lawyers Alert NigeriaEmail: info@lawyersalertng.org

Phone: 08129271684Website: www.lawyersalertng.org