An attack in north-central Nigeria has devastated the rural community of Yelewata in Benue state, leaving at least 150 people confirmed dead and dozens more still missing.
The attack took place late Friday night and into the early hours of Saturday, and survivors and rights groups describe it as one of the deadliest acts of violence to take place in the area in many months.
The attack in north-central Nigeria highlights the ongoing and deadly battle between herder and farmer, rooted in competition for scarce land and water.
The Night of Terror
According to eyewitnesses, as well as the authorities, armed attackers surrounded the Yelewata community late Friday night, shooting indiscriminately at sleeping villagers, and setting their homes ablaze. Many of the victims were trapped in their homes, which were locked- and then set on fire- and horrifying scenes of burned corpses and widespread destruction ensued.
A good number of the deceased were internally displaced persons (IDPs), who had evacuated prior violence elsewhere in Benue to seek a new refuge in a community marketplace.
The attackers also burned food stores and ruined a whole year’s harvest of rice, and yam-these are staple foods that are both critical for subsistence and as a commodity for local economic use.
Increasing Death Toll and Continuing Search
An earlier report estimated the death toll at 100, but by Monday, survivors and community representatives confirmed the affected death toll had risen to 150, with many others unaccounted for. Dozens of individuals are still unaccounted for, and hundreds are injured, many without medical care.
Members of the communities found in Lake County are going through the wreckage of burned down buildings trying to find loved ones and identify the deceased.
The magnitude of the destruction has left families and neighbors stunned, grieving the deaths of ones lost in the fire, with some survivors bearing witness to the loss of entire families in the fire.
Root Causes and Indefinite Violence
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, attacks such as this have become an unfortuante norm in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The violence has stemmed from the tensions instigated by competing natural resources between farmers and herders.
The farmers allege that the herders, most of them Fulani, have allowed their cattle to graze on farming land, damaging their crops. The herders claim that the land is established grazing routes with legitimate standing based on the Grazing Reserves Act of 1965 – five years after independence.
In recent years, violence has escalated, and both groups have used violence and armed militias to resolve conflict.
Government Action and Calls for Action
After the attack in north-central Nigeria, Nigeria’s president Bola Tinubu condemned the “utter senseless bloodletting,” before promising a visit to the impacted community. In the meantime, state policymakers and human rights groups have called for urgent measures to tackle the basis of the violence and provide better security for vulnerable communities.
Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to do more to stem the “nearly daily violence” evident in Benue state and warned that without action, lives will continue to be lost and more people will be displaced.
The attack has caused great pain to both the Yelewata community and the surrounding area. Survivors like Titus Tsegba, who lost his wife and four children, and Jacob Psokaa, who lost his father, are trying to recover from their loss, damage to their homes, and lost livelihoods.
The burning of food stores also raises concerns about food security, as Benue state produces much of the staple crops for Nigeria. Despite the pain, the Yelewata community members are supporting each other and trying to rebuild their community amidst fears of another attack.
The attack in north-central Nigeria is a grim illustration of the violent consequences of unresolved land and resource disputes outlining the clear and pressing need for solutions to safeguard vulnerable communities.
As the people of Yelewata mourn the dead and search for missing community members, the world looks on and waits to see if Nigeria’s leaders will help bring an end to the violence and deliver a safe future for all citizens.
