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IDPs, soldiers among over 200 killed in fresh Benue attack
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About 200 people, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), five security personnel, women, children, and community members, were killed in a fresh coordinated attack by suspected herdsmen on Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants struck late on Friday night, according to residents who said they had received advance warnings of impending attacks by marauding fighters.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed Yelewata from both the eastern and western flanks, overpowering police and youth defenders before unleashing violence on defenceless IDPs in market stalls and nearby homes.
Several houses and market stalls were set ablaze after being doused with petrol. Many victims, some described as toddlers, were reportedly “slaughtered like animals.”
Another group of attackers was said to have descended on Daudu. Although youths and security personnel mounted a fierce resistance, at least five officers, including policemen and soldiers, were confirmed killed.
Mr. Matthew Mnyan, a Yelewata community leader and former Acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who spoke emotionally, described the incident as “a dark day” for the local population.
He said: “It began around 11 pm when they emerged from the western side, opening fire. Our youths and police resisted. Then another group attacked from the east and overwhelmed them.
“They killed people, set stalls ablaze with petrol, and burnt homes. Displaced individuals from Branch Udei and surrounding villages were inside those stalls. Shockingly, none of the soldiers intervened to protect them.
“We’ve recorded over 200 fatalities—families of 12, 15 people, including husbands, wives, and children, have all been consumed by fire. About 46 wounded were taken to hospital; so far, 20 have died.”
Mnyan said the operation appeared premeditated and well-coordinated.
He added: “We had prior alerts from Nasarawa State regarding attacks on Yelewata, Ukoho, Ortese, Yogbo, and Daudu. This was carried out simultaneously.
“Daudu’s defenders managed to repel the herd, but five soldiers and police personnel died. One was a Captain. We understand that over 300 assailants had camped near Daudu.
“The assailants seek to seize land. On Yelewata’s east side, Fulanis have occupied farmland and are refusing entry to others. That coordination from east and west was deliberate.”
Mnyan further said the community briefly considered moving corpses to the main road in protest but abandoned the plan after recalling past incidents that resulted in additional fatalities.
President of the Association of United Farmers Benue Valley (AUFBV), Chief Dennis Gbongbon, accused “Lakurawa bandits” and herders of the carnage.
His words: “Reports indicate over 62 IDPs and farmers were killed in Yelewata; several homes and shops were burnt. As I speak, about 85 percent of victims are IDPs who fled from places such as Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, and Giza, now hospitalised or missing.
“These IDPs are still farmers at heart. Even when displaced, terror found them. This is a terrifying escalation.”
Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the dual attack.
He said: “I cannot give exact numbers yet as I was not on ground, but two separate incidents happened yesterday in Yelewata and Daudu.”
A military source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that two soldiers died. “We lost two military personnel in that attack,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, in a statement by DSP Udeme Edet, acknowledged the incident, stating that tactical teams responded swiftly, engaged the assailants, and repelled the attack.
The statement read: “Some attackers were killed.
“It is with deep regret that we confirm civilian deaths and injuries. We are actively pursuing the attackers and will continue efforts to protect the public.”
Recurring Attacks
Benue State has long been a flashpoint for violent clashes between herdsmen and farming communities.
Over the last decade, hundreds of lives have been lost to such attacks, especially in local government areas like Guma, Logo, and Agatu.
The violence, often attributed to disputes over land and grazing routes, has led to mass displacement, with many residents forced into IDP camps across the state. Despite repeated calls for federal intervention and several military operations in the area, attacks have persisted, fuelling a humanitarian crisis and widespread insecurity.
Five traders were reportedly crushed to d3ath when a military Hilux lost control and ran into a busy market at Chanchangi town, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to Daily Trust, the military vehicle was escorting traders from Wukari town to Takum, when the accident occurred on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
A resident, Tony David told Daily Trust in a telephone interview that the military vehicle was escorting some traders from Wukari to Takum because of the high incidents of kidnappings along the road.
He said those crushed to d3ath were among the traders that displayed their wares by the roadside.
David stated that several other traders also sustained injuries and the corpses and the injured were conveyed to Takum General Hospital.
A Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 70-year-old woman, Barek Mary Yetunde, at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility over alleged trafficking of 13 kilograms of cocaine.
The court, presided over by Justice Friday Ogazi, arrived at the decision shortly after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned the septuagenarian on a two-count charge of unlawful possession, transportation, and exportation of a narcotic drug.
Upon the calling of the criminal matter, the counsel for the NDLEA, Mr Abu Ibrahim, announced appearance for the prosecution, while Chief Benson Ndakara appeared for the defendant.
In addressing the court, Ibrahim moved an application seeking leave of the court to arraign the defendant during the court vacation, which was granted by Justice Ogazi.
The two-count charge dated August 8, 2026, was then read to the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
In the criminal charge before the court, Barek Mary Yetunde of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota, Lagos, was alleged to have on or about June 28, 2026, at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to the United Kingdom, exported 13kg of cocaine without lawful authority.
The defendant was equally alleged to have transported the same 13kg of cocaine from her residence in Okota to the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, MMIA, Ikeja.
The offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, after her plea, the NDLEA prayed to Justice Ogazi for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a Correctional Facility.
On his part, the counsel for the defence, Chief Ndakara, revealed that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution, adding that the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit which the defence had responded to, urging the judge to hear the bail motion.
The prosecutor confirmed he had filed an opposition to the bail application.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Ogazi held that the court could not hear the bail application due to the volume of cases on the vacation cause list.
As a result of the decision of the court, Ndakara requested that the defendant be remanded in NDLEA custody due to her age and health challenges, but the prosecution opposed, stating the agency lacks adequate facilities to accommodate her.
Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter to September 2, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi, pending the hearing.
A Nigerian X user, identified as Chef Dan, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to loan him N400,000 from funds recovered from individuals convicted of embezzlement.
Chef Dan made the request in a post on X while tagging the EFCC’s official account.
He wrote, “I’m broke and I need money to pay rent by next month, can you guys borrow me 400k from the money EFCC recovered from embezzlers?
“I will pay back 15k every month for 2 years.”
The X user also asked the anti-graft agency to lend him one of the vehicles seized during its investigations, saying he could use it to start an Uber business.
He wrote, “I no go mind if you guys can borrow me car from the cars EFCC seized from people.
“Camry (muscle sport) will good to Uber.
“Make I start Uber business and I will be paying 30k weekly.”
Responding to the request, the EFCC clarified that its name does not imply that the agency provides financial services or loans.
The commission replied, “Dear Chef Dan, the ‘Financial’ in the name of the EFCC doesn’t mean we render financial services 👌. You could approach your bank for loans 😊.”
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