The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has strongly condemned the recent killings in Yelewata community of Benue State, describing the attack as "gruesome" and "senseless." The organization has called on security agencies to urgently rethink their strategy in addressing the persistent violence in the region.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor T. A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed deep concern over the violence that claimed numerous lives, including women, children, and the elderly, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
"We pray for the repose of the souls of the dead, commiserate with the injured and wish them quick recovery," the statement read.
Security Strategy Under Scrutiny
The Forum highlighted that the attack occurred just days after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) relocated to Benue State specifically to address the security challenges in the area. This timing, according to the ACF, clearly demonstrates that the current security approach requires immediate review.
"That the Yelwata tragedy would take place within days of the COAS's relocation clearly illustrates that the current security strategy must be reviewed," the statement emphasized.
The ACF noted that the farmers-herders crisis in the region has persisted despite various intervention attempts, describing it as "a cascading series of catastrophic violence" that "dishearteningly seems to defy solutions, including decisive action by the Federal Government-controlled security agencies."
Call for Proactive Measures
The organization called for a new and more proactive approach to security in the region, emphasizing the need for enhanced vigilance and improved intelligence gathering to prevent violence before it erupts.
The Forum urged residents of Benue and other violence-prone states to reject hatred and embrace peace, stating: "Let us replace fear and anger with empathy, understanding, cooperation, and reconciliation."
While commending Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for his inclusive approach to peacebuilding, the ACF emphasized that justice must be served and perpetrators of the killings should be held accountable.
The statement also encouraged community and religious leaders to use their positions to promote peace and tolerance while discouraging violence and hate speech.
"May peace, understanding, cooperation and social harmony return to Benue State and to all parts of Arewa and Nigeria," the ACF concluded.
According to reports, the Yelewata attack resulted in the deaths of 127 persons, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing security challenges facing Benue State.
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