Massacre in Benue: 42 Killed as Herders Launch Deadly Attacks on Central Nigerian Villages

iNewsAfrica | Abuja Bureau | May 27, 2025

Benue, Nigeria – In one of the deadliest attacks in recent times, at least 42 people have been confirmed dead following a wave of coordinated assaults in central Nigeria’s Benue State over the weekend. Local authorities have blamed armed Fulani herders for the killings, which targeted four farming villages in the Gwer West Local Government Area.

The brutal violence unfolded across two days:

• Saturday, May 24: The villages of Tyolaha and Tse-Ubiam were attacked, leaving 10 people dead.

• Sunday, May 25: A further 32 people were killed in Ahume and Aondona villages.

Victims included women, children, and a Catholic priest who sustained gunshot wounds and is currently in critical condition.

A Region Under Siege

Benue, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” has become a hotspot in the escalating conflict between nomadic herders and settled farmers. The herders, mostly of Fulani origin, are accused of storming the communities in retaliation over disputed grazing access—a crisis fueled by climate change, population pressures, and weak enforcement of anti-grazing laws.

Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings as “heinous and unacceptable,” urging security agencies to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore order in the volatile region.

A National Crisis

The farmer-herder crisis, particularly severe in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has led to thousands of deaths over the past decade. A 2017 law banning open grazing in Benue State has failed to deter attacks, with many communities now calling for stronger security presence and federal intervention.

From 2020 to 2024, over 2,300 people were killed in 359 documented herder-farmer clashes across Nigeria. Experts warn that the true number is likely much higher, as many incidents go unreported due to fear and remoteness.

Call to Action

Human rights groups, religious leaders, and civil society organizations have urged the Nigerian government to prioritize lasting solutions to the recurring violence. Recommendations include:

• Strict enforcement of grazing laws

• Establishment of safe farming zones and grazing reserves

• Community-based conflict resolution mechanisms

• Federal support for victims and displaced persons

As Benue mourns its dead, the nation watches closely—demanding answers, justice, and above all, peace.

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