IGP Egbetokun Visits Benue After Deadly Attacks: Tinubu Orders Immediate Action as Killings Escalate
In a significant move to address the growing wave of violence in Benue State, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, June 16, 2025, visited the crisis-ridden region to assess the security situation firsthand. His visit comes on the heels of a fresh attack that rocked the Yelwata community last Friday, where suspected armed herdsmen unleashed terror, killing multiple residents and leaving many others displaced.
Benue State, located in North Central Nigeria, has sadly become synonymous with bloody clashes between farming communities and nomadic herders, often leading to mass casualties, widespread displacement, and destruction of farmland and property. The latest attack in Yelwata is part of a disturbing pattern of violence that has plagued the state for years, despite numerous efforts by past and current administrations to find lasting peace.
The Yelwata Attack: Another Tragic Chapter in Benue’s Bloody History
The recent attack in Yelwata, a rural community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, has once again thrown the spotlight on the fragile security landscape of the region. Eyewitnesses report that heavily armed men suspected to be herdsmen stormed the village under the cover of darkness, shooting sporadically, burning homes, and slaughtering defenseless villagers.
The attack left behind a trail of death and destruction—a familiar scene in Benue, which has suffered repeated episodes of violence in recent times. At least dozens of people are feared dead, with many more sustaining critical injuries. Several residents have been forced to flee their homes, adding to the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.
IGP Egbetokun’s Visit: A High-Level Security Assessment
In response to the worsening security situation, IGP Kayode Egbetokun personally visited Benue State on Monday to conduct an on-the-ground assessment. His presence signals a recognition at the highest level of the Nigerian Police Force that the crisis requires more than routine interventions—it demands urgent, coordinated, and effective action.
The IGP met with local security officials, community leaders, and victims of the attacks to gather information, assess the impact, and chart a course of action. According to police sources, Egbetokun's visit is part of a wider national security strategy aimed at restoring peace and preventing future attacks in the troubled Middle Belt state.
President Tinubu Orders Tough Action: "Enough is Enough"
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reacting strongly to the wave of killings, issued a clear and firm directive to all security agencies in the country. In a statement released from the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Sunday, June 15, 2025, Tinubu expressed deep sadness over the continuing bloodshed in Benue and called for decisive action.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough.
I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them,” President Tinubu said.
The President's statement reflects the growing national concern over the deteriorating security in Benue and its ripple effects on the broader stability of the region. His directive emphasizes not just reactive measures but active arrests and prosecutions to send a strong message to those fueling the violence.
Benue’s Long History of Conflict Between Farmers and Herders
Benue State, often referred to as the “Food Basket of the Nation”, is one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally productive regions. The state is home to large farming communities who depend on the fertile land for survival. However, conflict has emerged due to clashes over land use between farmers and nomadic Fulani herders seeking pasture for their cattle.
These clashes have escalated into full-blown violence in many cases. The introduction of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in 2017 by the Benue State government aimed to curb the issue, but tensions have persisted.
Security analysts note that ethnic, religious, and political tensions have further complicated the conflict, turning what began as resource disputes into deeply entrenched cycles of violence.
IDP Crisis in Benue: A Humanitarian Emergency
The ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Benue over the past decade. With each new attack, more families are forced to flee, often with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The state now hosts multiple IDP camps, many of which are overcrowded and underfunded.
The recent attack in Yelwata has only worsened the humanitarian crisis, with survivors seeking refuge in nearby communities or overcrowded camps. Aid agencies and local authorities are struggling to meet the needs of these displaced persons, as food, shelter, healthcare, and security remain inadequate.
Security Agencies on Alert: Will There Be a Shift in Strategy?
Following President Tinubu’s directive and IGP Egbetokun’s visit, security operatives are reportedly reviewing their strategy. Sources within the Nigerian Police and the military say there will be increased patrols, intelligence gathering, and deployment of tactical units to affected areas.
However, critics argue that previous deployments have failed to prevent attacks, raising concerns about the effectiveness of a purely militarized approach. There are calls for community-based conflict resolution, economic empowerment, and stronger local governance to address the root causes of the violence.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
The massacre in Yelwata has drawn condemnation from across the country. Civil society groups, religious leaders, and rights organizations have all demanded justice for the victims and accountability from the government.
Local lawmakers have urged the federal government to go beyond rhetoric and take practical steps to restore law and order. Many have also called for an overhaul of the security architecture and a transparent investigation into the attacks.
What Happens Next for Benue?
With the President’s directive now in effect and the IGP’s boots on the ground, the people of Benue State are hopeful but skeptical. Past promises have often fallen short, leaving communities vulnerable to repeated assaults. Whether this new wave of attention will lead to concrete, lasting solutions remains to be seen.
For now, the people of Yelwata and other affected communities are counting their dead, burying their loved ones, and hoping that this time—finally—the Nigerian government will keep its word.
