Dozens of lives were lost over the weekend in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, following brutal overnight attacks on the village of Yelewata — a tragedy that has drawn strong condemnation from UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Reacting to the violence, Guterres called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible. “The Secretary-General condemns the killing of innocent civilians, including in Nigeria, and hopes that those responsible for this violence will be found and apprehended,” said his Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq. He added that the UN is closely monitoring the situation.
President Bola Tinubu also condemned the renewed wave of violence in the state and urged leaders and residents to prioritize peace, unity, and mutual understanding.
As part of efforts to address the deepening crisis, President Tinubu is scheduled to visit Benue on Wednesday. During his visit, he will meet with a broad range of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political and religious figures, community leaders, and youth representatives, to seek sustainable solutions to the conflict.
The president expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and all others affected by the attacks.
