Benue Killings: Preventing next tragedy

By Adegbile Adeola, Senior Correspondent, Abuja

The brutal massacre that took place on June 13–14 in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where over 100 people were slaughtered by unidentified armed men, is yet another grim reminder of the security crisis plaguing Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

Homes were razed, families torn apart, and hope shattered in a region that has become a recurring hotspot for violent conflict.

While the federal and state governments have condemned the attacks and deployed security forces to the area, these measures are often temporary and reactive. What Benue and other conflict-affected areas need now is not just emergency response, but a long-term, comprehensive peace and security strategy—one that addresses both symptoms and root causes.

Understanding the crisis

At the heart of the conflict lies a complex web of land disputes, ethnic tensions, and weak law enforcement. Over the years, clashes between nomadic herders, predominantly of Fulani ethnicity, and indigenous farming communities have escalated from sporadic disputes to full-blown violent campaigns.

Key factors driving these conflicts include are, unregulated open grazing, climate change and desertification forcing migration southwards, absence of justice for previous attacks, weak border control, allowing foreign fighters and arms into Nigeria, and lack of socio-economic opportunities for rural youth, making them vulnerable to recruitment by violent groups.

A comprehensive roadmap for government action

Implement a National Ranching and Grazing Policy
The federal government must move decisively to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP). Open grazing has become increasingly unsustainable and conflict-prone.

A transition to modern ranching systems—with appropriate land, water, and veterinary support—will reduce pressure on farmlands and mitigate conflict between herders and farmers.

Strengthen local intelligence and community policing
Security personnel often arrive after the damage has been done. Establishing community-driven intelligence networks and trust-based relationships between locals and security forces will improve information flow and enable pre-emptive action. The government should recruit and train local vigilantes under proper oversight.

Deploy a special middle belt security task force
A dedicated, well-equipped, and mobile force that understands the terrain and operates under a clear mandate to prevent rural terrorism should be created. This force must be free from political interference and work in collaboration with the military, police, and civil defense corps.

Invest in technology and surveillance infrastructure
The Nigerian government must invest in drones, satellite imagery, thermal cameras, and real-time surveillance—particularly in areas that are hard to access by road. Forests, waterways, and border zones must be monitored consistently to track armed movements and prevent coordinated attacks.

Improve border security
The porous borders in the North Central region allow for the unchecked movement of arms and non-state actors. The Nigerian Immigration Service, Customs, and National Intelligence Agency must work collaboratively to detect and block the movement of armed mercenaries and smuggled weapons.

Prioritize prosecution and justice
A significant contributor to the continuation of violence is the lack of accountability. Attackers are rarely caught or tried. The government must empower a Special Tribunal on Rural Violence and Terrorism, tasking it with fast-tracking the prosecution of perpetrators, collaborators, and sponsors of these attacks.

Rehabilitate and resettle displaced communities
Thousands have been displaced in Benue. The government must launch a Benue Recovery Plan—including housing, schools, health facilities, and trauma support. This must be done with urgency, dignity, and inclusion of affected communities in decision-making.

Engage traditional and religious leaders
Long-lasting peace cannot be enforced by arms alone. Dialogue, reconciliation, and cultural mediation through trusted local institutions—traditional rulers, religious clerics, and women’s cooperatives—can help rebuild fractured relationships and reduce tension.

Youth empowerment and economic development
Idle youth are often vulnerable to radicalization or recruitment into armed groups. The government should invest in agricultural value chains, vocational training, digital skills, and access to finance for youth in Benue and across the Middle Belt. Economic hope is a powerful antidote to violence.

Launch a National Commission for the Protection of Rural Communities
Similar to the Niger Delta Development Commission, this body can focus exclusively on rural safety, land reforms, infrastructure, and policy monitoring—ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind.

The role of civil society and the international community

Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have raised alarms, but their voices must now be backed by actionable partnerships. International donors, humanitarian agencies, and development partners can provide technical support, aid, and policy guidance. Nigeria must not reject help in a time of national emergency.

Civil society groups, journalists, and peacebuilders must also continue to shine a light on these atrocities, keeping the issue in public discourse and pushing for accountability.

From grief to action

The people of Yelewata, Logo, Agatu, and other affected communities are not just victims—they are resilient survivors who deserve protection and justice. They are farmers, traders, mothers, and children, whose only demand is to live in peace on their ancestral land.

This is not just a Benue problem. It is a Nigerian problem. And it demands a Nigerian solution—built on justice, security, governance, and inclusive development.

The time to act is now. Because if we don’t, the next village may fall—and the headlines will simply repeat themselves.