Latest news with #BenueAttacks
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nigerian president orders crackdown on gangs after 150 killed in conflict-hit north
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of a weekend attack that killed at least 150 people in the country's northcentral, as he faces growing pressure over a worsening security crisis. Tinubu visited Benue state, the site of the recent deadly attacks, seeking to calm tensions and promise justice for the victims. 'We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.' the Nigerian leader said on X. Assailants stormed Benue state's Yelewata community from Friday night till Saturday morning, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state. Authorities in Benue state blamed herdsmen for the attack, a type of violence frequently seen in northern Nigeria's decadeslong pastoral conflict. Opposition leaders and critics have accused Tinubu of a delayed response to the killings, noting his office issued a statement over 24 hours after the attack. His visit to the state occurred five days later. The Nigerian leader traveled to Makurdi, Benue State's capital, where he visited a hospital to see those injured in the attack and met with local leaders to discuss how to end the killings. He did not visit the Yelewata community. He also appeared to reprimand the police for not making any arrest yet more than four days after the killings. 'How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,' Tinubu asked as he addressed senior police officers during a gathering in Benue. Analysts blame Nigeria's worsening security crisis on a lack of political will to go after criminals and ensure justice for victims. 'In the end, the result is the same: No justice, no accountability, and no closure for the victims and their communities," said Senator Iroegbu, a security analyst based in Nigeria's capital Abuja. 'Until this changes, impunity will remain the norm, and such tragedies will continue to occur.' ____ Follow AP's Africa coverage at: Dyepkazah Shibayan, The Associated Press
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Nigerian president orders crackdown on gangs after 150 killed in conflict-hit north
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of a weekend attack that killed at least 150 people in the country's northcentral, as he faces growing pressure over a worsening security crisis. Tinubu visited Benue state, the site of the recent deadly attacks, seeking to calm tensions and promise justice for the victims. 'We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.' the Nigerian leader said on X. Assailants stormed Benue state's Yelewata community from Friday night till Saturday morning, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state. Authorities in Benue state blamed herdsmen for the attack, a type of violence frequently seen in northern Nigeria's decadeslong pastoral conflict. Opposition leaders and critics have accused Tinubu of a delayed response to the killings, noting his office issued a statement over 24 hours after the attack. His visit to the state occurred five days later. The Nigerian leader traveled to Makurdi, Benue State's capital, where he visited a hospital to see those injured in the attack and met with local leaders to discuss how to end the killings. He did not visit the Yelewata community. He also appeared to reprimand the police for not making any arrest yet more than four days after the killings. 'How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,' Tinubu asked as he addressed senior police officers during a gathering in Benue. Analysts blame Nigeria's worsening security crisis on a lack of political will to go after criminals and ensure justice for victims. 'In the end, the result is the same: No justice, no accountability, and no closure for the victims and their communities,' said Senator Iroegbu, a security analyst based in Nigeria's capital Abuja. 'Until this changes, impunity will remain the norm, and such tragedies will continue to occur.' ____ Follow AP's Africa coverage at:
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Nigerian president orders crackdown on gangs after 150 killed in conflict-hit north
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators of a weekend attack that killed at least 150 people in the country's northcentral, as he faces growing pressure over a worsening security crisis. Tinubu visited Benue state, the site of the recent deadly attacks, seeking to calm tensions and promise justice for the victims. 'We will restore peace, rebuild, and bring the perpetrators to justice. You are not alone.' the Nigerian leader said on X. Assailants stormed Benue state's Yelewata community from Friday night till Saturday morning, opening fire on villagers who were asleep and setting their homes ablaze, survivors and the local farmers union said. Many of those killed were sheltering in a local market after fleeing violence in other parts of the state. Authorities in Benue state blamed herdsmen for the attack, a type of violence frequently seen in northern Nigeria's decadeslong pastoral conflict. Opposition leaders and critics have accused Tinubu of a delayed response to the killings, noting his office issued a statement over 24 hours after the attack. His visit to the state occurred five days later. The Nigerian leader traveled to Makurdi, Benue State's capital, where he visited a hospital to see those injured in the attack and met with local leaders to discuss how to end the killings. He did not visit the Yelewata community. He also appeared to reprimand the police for not making any arrest yet more than four days after the killings. 'How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,' Tinubu asked as he addressed senior police officers during a gathering in Benue. Analysts blame Nigeria's worsening security crisis on a lack of political will to go after criminals and ensure justice for victims. 'In the end, the result is the same: No justice, no accountability, and no closure for the victims and their communities," said Senator Iroegbu, a security analyst based in Nigeria's capital Abuja. 'Until this changes, impunity will remain the norm, and such tragedies will continue to occur.' ____
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Benue killings: Timeline of attacks wey don lead to mass deaths for central Nigeria in di last 60 days
Tori of di latest attack for Benue state Nigeria wey lead to di deaths of over 100 pipo for Yelwata community for north central Nigeria dey trend for social media. Dis recent attacks, according to di National Emergency Management Agency, Nema, bin happun on Saturday, 14 June, 2025. Nema say dia early investigation show say more dan 100 pipo kpai for di attack including two sojas and one officer of di Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). "Dozens of pipo sustain injuries, and 46 individuals bin dey rushed to hospitals. Sadly, 20 of dem later die for hospital sake of di injuries wey dem sustain," di Nema statement read. But dis Yelwata killings no be di first in recent times, na di latest of di horrible attacks on communities for central Nigeria wey don claim di lives of hundreds of pipo in di last two months. Wen pipo relax wit hope say evritin don calm down, di jaguda pipo go waka go anoda community wey di villagers no expect. Men, children and women too don share di horrible experiences of rape from di herders hand be victims. Nigeria president Bola Tinubu don finally make promise say im go clear im schedule to visit Benue state on Wednesday 17 June 2025. Currently, Security oga dem move to end Benue killings as Tinubu prepare to enta Yelwata Earlier, Police tok-tok pesin for Plateau State, Fred Alabo for one interview wit BBC Pidgin tok say dem go do evritin legally possible to make dis jaguda pipo face di law. Dis na a timeline of di attacks fpr both Benue and Plateau State in recent weeks wey don kill hundreds and how e happun. Timeline of attacks and killings for central Nigeria March 2025 - For ending of March, about 52 pipo bin kpai for inside one attack for Bokkos local goment area of Plateau State. Di development bin make di National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu to visit di area and tok say enough don dey enough for di killers, and e go make sure say di killings stop. Wit all di ginger wey dat tori bin make di killings still dey go on. April 2025 - Anoda attack bin happun for Bassa local goment area of Plateau State, north-central Nigeria, according to wetin residents bin tell BBC Pidgin. Di attack bin happun for di early hours of Monday, 14 April between 1:00am and 2:00am. Yakubu Ventim wey be tori pesin for di state bin tok say di chairman of Bassa local goment area, Joshua Sunday Riti, bin carry some TV tori pipo wit plenty security to di community wia di attack bin happun. "Na about 38 to 50 pipo dem bin massacre for di village dis morning. "Dem ambush di community and kill mostly women and children," oga Ventim tok. May 2025 - At least 10 pipo die sake of kasala between herders and farmers for Riyom Local Goment Area of Plateau State. Tori pipo Channels Television bin report say from wetin start from farm destruction, cattle rustling, and attacks on livestock, pipo from both Fulani and Berom communities clash. Dem add say statement from Operation Safe Haven, confam say di insecurity for di council area bin start on Monday, May 12, 2025, wen suspected youths bin slaughter and rustle cattle wey bin enta dia farms for Dayan village, Riyom Local Goment Area. To take revenge, di herders attack Danchindo village on di evening of May 13, dem kill four people befor dem run as dem hear say police dey come. On May 14, di villagers bin kill 26 cows as dem dey para say dem kill dia pipo. Di herders later comeback again dat day, dem attack one settlement near Wereng Kam community, wia dem kill six locals. June 2025 - E be like say di month of June record di highest killings in recent times for Benue state. Di number of pipo wey die from di attacks on Gwer West and Apa local government areas of Benue State pass 50. Eyewitnesses bin also tok say some pipo still dey miss sake of say out of fear and to run for dia lives some pipo jump inside well. Suspected herdsmen bin attack residents of Tse-Antswam for Naka town, wey be headquarters of Gwer West LGA and Edikwu Ankpali for Apa local goment area of Benue state. According to Nema first report on Monday 16 June, 2025 na 100 pipo die, and 6,500 displaced for Benue attack. But locals and oda tori pipo tok say di number dey around 200. Ova di years, kasala between herders and farmers na regular tin for many parts of northern Nigeria including Plateau and Benue states. In reality, na di whole kontri dey feel di heat as e dey disturb farming and cause insecurity wey dey affect local food production and farm produce. Residents for northern Nigeria dey also face issues of banditry and oda criminalities. Who dey carry out dis attacks? Recently, di Govnor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, tok say dis regular attacks wey dey happun for di state don pass herdsmen and farmers fight and add say wetin dey happun now na terrorist attacks and "genocide". Mutfwang tok dis one for interview wit BBC as e lament say di killings don too much despite all di efforts wey di state goment dey do to make sure say peace dey. "I dey tell you for all honesty say I no fit find any explanation wey pass say dis na genocide wey terrorists dey sponsor. Di question na who be di pipo wey dey behind di organisers of dis terrorism? Dis na wetin di security agencies need to help us to reveal," di govnor tok "As I dey tok to you, e no dey less dan 64 communities wey don dey taken ova by bandits for Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local goments. Dem don take di communities ova, rename dem, and pipo dey live dia comfortably on top lands wey dem pursue pipo comot and occupy." Also Benue State Govnor Hyacinth Alia tell tori pipo Arise TV for live interview on Tuesday 17 June say di recent attacks for Benue na acts of terrorism, as e don go beyond farmer-herder clashes "Of late, wetin we experience and wetin we see dey see dey appalling. E strong well-well, way beyond farmer-herder crisis. Di attacks na by bandits and terrorists." im tok. Youths of Benue State do we no go gree waka on Sunday for di state sake of di killings wey dey too much. ''We don taya, we dey helpless, we don become weak, we dey broken, we dey powerless becos goment no dey help us''. Di protest come less dan 24 hours afta suspected herders enta Yelwata community in di early hours of Saturday. Dem begin kill pipo and burn houses. Di number of pipo wey don die from di attacks wey just hapun for Yelwata community for Benue state fit still go up as Nema say di current figures still dey inconsistent sake of di volatile security situation and limited access to di affected areas. As e be now, more dan 6,527 pipo don run comot for dia house for Yelwata and dem dey take shelter for Internally Displaced People Camps. Dis include "1,768 females; 759 males; 657 children under 18 years; 1,870 adults above 18; 252 breast feeding mothers; 82 pregnant women; and 91 elderly persons". According to Nema, hospitals for Makurdi dey call for urgent blood donations for di pipo wey injure for di attack, and also for humanitarian support for di pipo wey dey IDP camps.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Benue attacks: 'Dem come guerrilla style and begin dey butcher pipo'
Di number of pipo wey don die from di attacks on Gwer West and Apa Local Goment Areas of Benue State don rise to ova 50 local authorities tok. Suspected herdsmen attack residents of Tse-Antswam for Naka town, wey be headquarters of Gwer West LGA and Edikwu Ankpali for Apa local goment area of Benue state. Tori be say many pipo die, as oda pipo run to save dia lives. According to di Chairman of Gwer West Council Mr. Victor Ormin and di traditional council, Chief Daniel Abomtse bin confam say dem bin recover 21 deadibody on Sunday. Chief Abomtse di Ter Nagi, tok say di attackers bin come in guerrilla style wen dem attack Tse Antswam. Im add say many pipo get different degree of injuries. "In fact, di way dem butcher some of di pipo I doubt if dem go survive, we still dey search becos many pipo bin run inside bush wit gun wounds and some also enta inside well to escape di herdsmen," di monarch tok. According to Chief Abomtse, di community wey dis attack happun dey directly opposite di military check point along Naka/ Makurdi road. Edikwu record 37 deaths Meanwhile for Edikwu Ankpali for Apa Local Goment Area, di causality figure hit na 37. Di Chairman of Apa Local Goment Area, Adam Ogwola, wey confam di tori say dem still dey expect di number of death victims to increase as dem still dey search and dem dey see more deadbody. "Di attack dey devastating" "Di pipo wey wound dey for general hospital already and dey get medical attention". One community leader, John Ikwu also confam say dem bin see 25 deadbody on Sunday for Edikwu Ankpali. Di community leader say time don reach wey dem go begin confront di jaguda pipo as im describe di killing as barbaric and unwarranted. Im say na heartless killers dey attack dia communities evriday without control. For statement wey di Benue State Police Command release on Monday, through dia tok-tok pesin Udeme Edet, dem say di Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi don relocate di Area Commander to Apa. Im also direct di tactical team to take over Naka as im deploy resources to flash points for di state including Apa and Gwer-west Local Goment Areas. For police statement, dem tok say na ten and twelve pipo die for di two attacks and five odas bin dey hospital. "For di last one month, personnel wey we post to dis areas don dey fight wit dis attackers and dem don suppress dem for most areas. Unfortunately, dis bandits dey search for vulnerable pesins and attack dem, dem kill some pipo on 1st June, 2025." Di CP dem redeploy personnel to cover up entries and exits to flash points. In di last two weeks, tori about different type of death don full for social media and news channels. Benue state na one of di flash points wey suspected herders dey attack communities and kill pipo. For April, di number of death for Benue herdsmen attack on Logo and Gbagir rise to 56. Even though di govnor bin don condemn dis attacks many times, e still dey happun.
