Yelewata massacre: 107 victims still hospitalised – BSEMA

At least 107 victims of the recent Yelewata massacre in Benue State are still receiving treatment in various medical facilities, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) has revealed.

The Executive Secretary of BSEMA, Dr. James Iorpuu, disclosed this in Makurdi during a joint press conference with officials from the emergency management agencies of Nasarawa and Plateau States. He described the Yelewata killings, which claimed over 200 lives, as “wicked,” lamenting that Benue has been under siege since 2011 with attacks and killings worsening by the day.

“The state had been under siege since 2011,” Iorpuu said. “Attacks and killings are increasing on a daily basis.”

He expressed appreciation to his counterparts from Nasarawa and Plateau States for visiting Benue to commiserate with the government and people of the state.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Ben Akwash, said the visit was not only to show solidarity but also to deliberate on ways to prevent such tragedies in the future.

“Besides Nasarawa being an immediate neighbour to Benue, both states were under Plateau,” Akwash stated. “We are in the state not only to commiserate with government and the people, but to rub minds on how best to forestall future attacks.”

He prayed for the safety of displaced persons and urged the governments of Nasarawa and Benue to provide adequate security in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Sunday Abdul, described the Yelewata massacre as an evil that has befallen the North Central region.

“The Yelewata killings is an evil that befell North Central states,” Abdul said. “What happened in Yelewata is happening in Southern Kaduna, Taraba and parts of Nasarawa—acts which are wicked.”

He urged the people of Benue to remain steadfast in faith, expressing hope that God would continue to be on their side. He also called on Nigerians and the global community to pray for peace in the North Central region.

The joint visit and press briefing underscore growing calls for regional cooperation in tackling the deepening security and humanitarian crises plaguing Nigeria’s Middle Belt.