The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has swung into action following a series of coordinated attacks by unidentified gunmen across communities in Benue State, which have left scores dead, dozens wounded, and thousands displaced.
The latest wave of violence struck in the early hours of Saturday, devastating Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area. While casualty figures remain uncertain due to limited access and volatile conditions, emergency response teams are working tirelessly to assess the full extent of the tragedy.
Responding to a distress alert, personnel from the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed. Sadly, an ambush in Daudu led to the loss of two soldiers and one NSCDC officer—heroes who died in service to protect lives.
Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed. At least 46 injured civilians were rushed in for treatment, but tragically, 20 of them did not survive. Medical teams have issued an urgent appeal for blood donations to sustain ongoing critical care efforts.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the attacks and reported that several assailants were neutralized during intense gunfire exchanges. Still, the situation remains tense, with fears of further violence.
In the face of this humanitarian emergency, NEMA, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), UNHCR, Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has set up a new Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at the Makurdi International Market to shelter survivors.
As of the latest count, 6,527 individuals from 1,069 households have been displaced. Among them are:
1,768 women
759 men
657 children under 18
1,870 adults above 18
252 lactating mothers
82 pregnant women
91 elderly persons
Over 3,000 people are in urgent need of food, clean water, medical aid, and non-food relief items. NEMA and its partners are currently mobilizing life-saving supplies and intensifying humanitarian efforts to cushion the impact of the crisis.
This is a sobering reminder of the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. As relief continues to reach the displaced, the urgent call remains clear: restore peace, protect the vulnerable, and ensure that no more lives are lost to senseless violence.