The Digest:
At a News Central TV town hall in Makurdi, survivors of the Yelewata community killings in Benue State recounted harrowing details of the night armed attackers invaded their homes. Their testimonies painted a grim picture, echoing the Unending Echoes of a persistent crisis demanding urgent resolution and justice.
Key Points:
- Survivors of the Yelewata community killings in Benue State shared their ordeal at a News Central TV town hall.
- Joseph Kwagh reported losing eight family members in the June 13 attacks on Yelewata and Daudu communities.
- Jerry Ayem's mother and children were killed when suspected armed individuals broke into their home.
- David Ukeyima lost his wife and three children, sustaining injuries while escaping his burning house.
- Ier Jonathan-Ichaver of Sesor NGO labeled the crisis "genocidal" and "ethnic cleansing," criticizing government failure.
- Her organization has tracked over 622 coordinated attacks in Benue since 2009, with over 1,100 killed in two years.
- Denen Gbobgbon of the United Farmers Association described attackers as "proscribed bandits," not herders, alleging complicity and foreign land sales.
- Ibrahim Galma of MACBAN said the crisis is now "full-blown criminality," affecting both farmers and herders.
- The June 13 attack resulted in over 200 deaths, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and farmers.
- President Tinubu ordered security agencies to arrest perpetrators, and 28 suspects were later arrested.
Sources: News Central TV.
