Yelewata Massacre: Diaspora Benue Leaders to Tinubu — This Is Genocide, Not Reprisal

Leaders from Benue State residing abroad have denounced a recent statement issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy. The statement had described the mass killings in Benue as “reprisal attacks” linked to farmer-herder disputes.

In a compelling open letter to President Tinubu, the leaders denounced what they called a dangerous mischaracterization of the crisis. According to them, the violent attacks across Benue State reflect a pattern of ethnic cleansing and genocide, not communal conflict.

The letter was jointly authored by Professor Akaa D. Ayangeakaa, President of the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA), and Chief Edwin Ochai, President of the Idoma Association USA. The letter provides a grim timeline of deadly attacks, notably the May killings in Gbagir (Ukum LGA) where over 70 lives were lost, and the June 14 Yelewata massacre in Guma LGA, where more than 200 people were reportedly murdered.

The diaspora leaders expressed anger over what they perceive as federal neglect. They noted the absence of arrests, federal government presence, or tangible interventions, despite continuous bloodshed.

The statement emphasized that what is occurring in Benue cannot be seen as a mutual conflict but is rather a systematic campaign of terror targeting native communities.

Part of the Letter Reads:

“In recent months, Benue towns and villages have come under deliberate, merciless assault. The savagery is beyond horrifying. In Gbagir, Ukum LGA, more than 70 innocent people were butchered in May.

On June 14, Yelewata in Guma LGA witnessed another tragic episode — a massacre that took over 200 lives. These weren’t deaths caused by armed confrontation or stray bullets. These were planned killings. Entire households were wiped out, homes were torched, and survivors were left mentally scarred. Reports even suggest that law enforcement officers nearby were overwhelmed during the attacks.

Yet, Guma and Ukum are not the only affected places. Similar violence has struck Otukpo and Apa LGAs. In early 2024, deadly attacks displaced entire settlements and annihilated communities.

In areas such as Agatu, Gwer West, Logo, Kwande, Katsina-Ala, and rural Makurdi, unrelenting violence has decimated hope and displaced thousands. From the waterways of Agatu to Tarka and Buruku farms, Benue is in ruins. Still, the Presidency has remained silent. No federal action. No visits. No justice.”

The leaders emphasized that these aren’t isolated clashes. They described them as part of an orchestrated ethnic cleansing and land-grabbing effort. According to humanitarian groups, the internally displaced population in Benue has surpassed 2 million. Many families now live in congested IDP camps with no access to necessities or dignity.

The letter criticized Mr. Onanuga’s statement dated June 15, 2025, for falsely framing the events as retaliatory farmer-herder conflicts. They called the narrative false, insulting, and harmful.

They wrote:

“This is not a tit-for-tat between farmers and herders. There has been no provocation from our communities to justify such brutality. These are intentional attacks against defenseless villagers. Calling it anything less than genocide erases the pain of thousands and strengthens the hands of those behind the terror.

Was the 7-month-old baby that was hacked and burned a farmer? Were babies killed in their mothers’ arms participants in a land dispute? These were mass murders, not communal disagreements.”

The leaders opposed President Tinubu’s call for dialogue, stating:

“Mr. President, your call for reconciliation assumes equal parties in a fight. The people of Benue are not in battle with Fulani or any ethnic group. We are not waging war. The attacks are carried out by faceless assailants who come to kill, burn, and steal land. This is terrorism. To suggest otherwise is to belittle the agony of the victims.

Your reconciliation plan lacks justice. No known herdsman has been apprehended or punished for these atrocities. How can there be peace without justice? Reconciliation must follow truth and accountability.”

The letter also reminded the federal government of Benue’s critical role in Nigeria’s agricultural economy. They stressed that treating Benue’s ordeal as a regional squabble undermines the country’s food security and national stability.

“Benue is not just a farming state; we are the backbone of Nigeria’s food system. Our people grow crops that feed millions and generate exports. Destabilizing Benue has grave implications for the whole nation.”

They also highlighted that Benue overwhelmingly supported Tinubu in the 2023 elections, driven by the hope his campaign promised. That hope, they said, is now in serious doubt. They insisted that government must respond with urgency.

The letter concluded with six strong demands:

1. Official recognition and condemnation of the attacks in Gbagir, Yelewata, Otukpo, Apa, and others as acts of genocide and terror.
2. Federal security deployment across high-risk areas in Guma, Logo, Ukum, Agatu, and other LGAs.
3. Independent investigation into military inaction or complicity, particularly in Yelewata.
4. Launch of a federal resettlement program, including reconstruction of farms, homes, schools, and clinics.
5. Recovery of illegally occupied lands and safe return of displaced residents.
6. Real dialogue between the Federal Government and Benue leaders—not between so-called warring parties.

The leaders concluded:

“A President’s greatness lies in how he responds to the cries of his people. We don’t ask for favors. We demand our constitutional rights—safety, justice, and hope for tomorrow.

While we appreciate your upcoming visit to Benue on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, your silence and mischaracterization have left deep wounds. If this tragedy had occurred in Kano, Sokoto, or Maiduguri, would the federal response have been this slow and indifferent?

Are Benue lives less valuable?

This is a defining moment for your administration. The nation and posterity are watching. Let your legacy be one of courage, fairness, and decisive leadership.”