Yelwata: NAPS condemns mass killings in Benue, demands urgent action

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has condemned the recent killings in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where over 50 residents, including children and youths, were reportedly murdered by suspected armed assailants.

In a statement issued on Monday, the President of NAPS, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, described the attack as “a national disgrace” and called on both the federal and Benue State governments to act swiftly to prevent further bloodshed.

“The reports of more than 50 lives lost, with entire families wiped out, homes razed, and survivors left in anguish, have broken our collective hearts,” Oghayan said. “Among the victims were young people, some possibly our members, whose dreams were cut short.”

The student body decried the rising spate of violence in rural communities and questioned why such levels of carnage persist in a country not officially at war. While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, NAPS criticised the reactive nature of government responses and called for improved intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and the strengthening of community-based security efforts.

The association specifically urged the Benue State Government to bolster the operations of its Community Volunteer Guards and ensure that the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice.

NAPS also appealed to civil society groups, student unions, and citizens not to remain silent, warning that continued inaction could embolden those behind the attacks.

“This is not just a tragedy, it is a national emergency,” the NAPS president said. “We demand justice and a safer Nigeria where students can learn without fear.”

The association ended its statement with prayers for the victims and a renewed call for national unity in addressing the root causes of insecurity.