Suspected herdsmen shot dead three people on Monday while they worked on their farm in the Yelwata area of Benue State. Three others sustained severe gunshot injuries and remain in critical condition.
News of the early morning attack reached Yelwata, prompting women in the community to stage a protest. They accused soldiers of failing to respond promptly, leaving police officers and local youths to mobilise and repel the attackers.
Former government official Matthew Mnyam confirmed the incident. He explained that his attempts, along with those of other leaders, to persuade the protesting women to vacate the federal highway linking Benue and Nasarawa States were rejected. The women demanded that soldiers leave their communities, alleging neglect in protecting them.
“This morning, Fulani herdsmen killed three people and left three others with severe gunshot wounds. These victims are in critical condition,” Mnyam said. “The killings triggered a protest by Yelwata women. The Commissioner of Police is currently at the scene, and I have informed the Secretary of Guma Local Government Area to involve the chairman.”
Guma LGA Chairman, Maurice Orwough, confirmed both the killings and the protest, urging all well-meaning individuals to work towards peace.
In June, an overnight attack in Yelwata left scores dead and displaced over 3,000 residents. While the government reported 59 deaths, civil rights groups claimed around 200 fatalities. The massacre drew national outrage and condemnation from Pope Leo XIV, who described it as a “terrible massacre” and called for an immediate end to the violence.