In a rare and forceful public rebuke, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep frustration over the failure of Nigeria’s security agencies to apprehend any suspects following the brutal massacre of villagers in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, which occurred on June 13, 2025, left over 150 people dead—according to survivor accounts—and has triggered national and international outrage.
The Massacre That Shook the Nation
In the early hours of that Friday, gunmen believed to be armed herders stormed the sleepy farming community of Yelwata. Victims were killed in their sleep, homes were set ablaze, and families wiped out in minutes. Witnesses described it as a coordinated and premeditated slaughter, not just another clash.
While initial figures placed the death toll at around 100, local leaders and humanitarian responders now believe over 200 lives may have been lost.
Tinubu’s First Visit to Benue as President
Five days after the carnage, President Tinubu paid a visit to Benue for the first time since assuming office. At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, he met with some of the wounded and displaced. What followed next was a closed-door meeting with top security chiefs and government officials — and that’s where the president dropped the hammer.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”
— President Tinubu
The question hit like a thunderclap. Nigerians have long criticized the slow pace of justice and the seeming indifference of the authorities in the face of mass killings.
No Arrest, No Justice?
Tinubu’s demand to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, highlights a painful reality: despite the bloodbath, no one has been arrested.
Security agencies claim investigations are ongoing, but with no suspects in custody, many fear the Yelwata victims may join the long list of forgotten tragedies in Nigeria’s violent history.
Human rights groups have also raised concerns that the state’s security architecture continues to fail rural communities, especially in the Middle Belt where clashes between farmers and herders have turned deadly and frequent.
Tinubu’s Response: Beyond Condolences
President Tinubu didn’t stop at demands. He proposed a broader peace framework to tackle the recurring violence in Benue and across the North Central region. His action plan includes:
Constituting a Leadership Committee made up of traditional rulers and regional elders
Summoning a strategic peace meeting in Abuja, with the Tor Tiv V and other stakeholders
Calling for better intelligence coordination between the DSS, NIA, and military
Encouraging citizens to donate blood to assist victims in the hospital
Still, critics argue that all these efforts may mean little without swift arrests, prosecution, and justice for the slain.
National and Global Reaction
The massacre drew condemnation from across the country:
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described it as a “national disgrace.”
Labour Party’s Peter Obi said the killings were evidence of a country in crisis.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called on Tinubu to declare war on terrorists and restore law and order.
International media houses like Reuters and Associated Press have also reported extensively on the tragedy, amplifying calls for accountability.
What Happens Next?
President Tinubu’s question — “How come no arrest has been made?” — is not just a rhetorical jab. It’s a challenge to Nigeria’s entire security structure. If arrests aren’t made soon, his administration could face mounting criticism for merely observing tragedies rather than stopping them.
Nigeria is bleeding, and its citizens are watching. Tinubu’s words in Benue may have given hope to some, but they will mean nothing without action. The victims of Yelwata deserve justice — not just visits, not just condolences, not just committees.
The time for justice is now.
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