Nigerians on Edge as Herdsmen Violence Spreads: Tinubu Visits Benue Amidst New Attacks in Enugu & Abia

President Bola Tinubu is visiting Benue State today, June 18, 2025, amid renewed horror following last Friday’s massacre in Yelewata, where over 150 people were killed. The visit comes under mounting pressure as similar attacks surge in Enugu and Abia states.

The latest Benue assault—suspected to involve herdsmen—left at least 150 confirmed dead, according to survivor accounts, with many more unaccounted for as homes and a market burned on the night of June 13–14. Witnesses describe coordinated gunfire that trapped villagers during their sleep and ignited a tragedy, uprooting families who had fled previous violence.

Just days later, suspected herdsmen stormed Aguamede in Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu, killing over 10 residents. Locals reported the attackers may have been air-dropped by helicopter and wielded machetes, brutally slaughtering residents in their homes before disappearing without warning.

In Abia State, Umunneochi and Isuikwuato are also under siege. Recent attacks involved shootings and kidnappings, with fatalities confirmed by the state’s information commissioner, Okey Kanu. While official numbers are still pending, witnesses report flames, gunfire and desperate villagers fleeing into nearby forests.

Security experts and rights advocates are alarmed. Former UN rapporteur Prof. Joy Ezeilo demanded swift federal action and justice, asserting that “every Nigerian’s life matters.” She called for full investigations and accountability.

Analyst Dr. Kabiru Adamu warns that Tinubu’s Benue trip is symbolic but inadequate without a robust security blueprint. He argues that political gestures must pave the way for practical measures—like reinforced patrols, intelligence collaboration, and targeted raids against armed herdsmen .

Communities in these states increasingly distrust conventional security forces; some argue only locally trained civilian patrols or vigilantes can respond fast enough. Yet officials caution that armed citizen groups risk false flag incidents or accidental escalation—highlighting the urgent need for improved intelligence and formal community-based policing strategies.