Anebi
Benue Civil society organisations, CSO, have condemned the recent massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed.
They called for urgent action to address the growing insecurity across the state.
This was disclosed on Tuesday during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Makurdi by Mr. Lazarus Mom, on behalf of the CSOs.
He decried the escalating violence and the government’s alleged inaction.
Mom revealed that over 712 lives have been lost in conflict-related attacks since January 2025, with more than 180,000 people displaced and living in dire conditions.
The CSOs also condemned the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters who gathered in Makurdi on Sunday to express outrage over the Yelwata massacre.
“The use of teargas and arrests against peaceful demonstrators is unjust, unconstitutional, and counterproductive”.
Demanding justice and accountability, the group urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
They also recommended the implementation of community policing to enhance local involvement in intelligence gathering and early response to threats.
The CSOs strongly rejected calls for a state of emergency in Benue, warning that such a move would undermine democratic governance and distract from real solutions.
They instead advocated for unity among political leaders, urging them to rise above blame games and work together to restore peace.
Reaffirming their support for the 2017 Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, the organisations called for stronger enforcement and resource allocation to reduce conflicts caused by open grazing. They also appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance for survivors of the violence, including food, shelter, medical care, and psychosocial support.
Mr Mom emphasized that civil society remains open to constructive dialogue with the government and called for formal engagement with the state leadership to contribute practical, evidence-based solutions to the security crisis.
Yelwata Attack: Benue CSOs demand justice, reject agitation for state of emergency
