Jimin Geoffrey, former Senior Special Assistant on Media to ex-Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, has raised alarm over persistent attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen in Benue communities despite President Bola Tinubu's recent intervention following the Yelwata massacre.
According to Geoffrey, a native of Guma Local Government Area, the attacks have continued unabated even after the President's June 18 visit to the state. "We die everyday, everywhere and anytime it pleases our harvesters who planted us in this part of the world. Security agents who are deployed to secure us are not spared from the killing spree," he lamented.
Timeline of Recent Attacks
Geoffrey detailed a series of deadly incidents that have occurred since the President's visit:
June 21, 2025: Four persons murdered at various locations in Makurdi and Guma, including Tse Ati, Uda Yagba, and Tse-Kator
June 19, 2025: Four Mobile Police Personnel gruesomely murdered at Udei in Guma LGA
July 2, 2025: At least three persons killed in an attack on Kwaghgba village
July 3, 2025: Three villagers killed during an attack on Ukohol village, Guma LGA
July 4, 2025: Mr. Nomsoor Anundu killed and two others injured in Tse-Anundu, Udei
Presidential Directives Not Yielding Results
During his visit on June 18, President Tinubu had directed the Chief of Defense Staff and the Inspector General of Police to "get those criminals out." He also instructed the Directors General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) and State Security Service (SSS) to improve their intelligence gathering to prevent future occurrences.
However, BenriNews gathered that the security situation in Guma and other parts of the state remains precarious, with Geoffrey warning that "another massacre may be lurking around the corner in Benue."
"The terrorists have occupied our deserted farmlands and homes from where they go out to harvest any life that dares go to the backyard for farming activities," Geoffrey stated.
The former aide expressed disappointment in the government's response, saying, "I wish to state unequivocally that the 'Renewed Hope' Mr. President promised Nigerians during the electioneering campaigns, for us in Benue, what has reached us is RECURRENT DEATHS."
He further noted that numerous survivors, including children, are still receiving treatment in various hospitals while "gun wielding terrorists continue to make frantic efforts to attack more villages in Benue unchecked."
The persistent attacks highlight the ongoing security challenges in Benue State and raise questions about the effectiveness of federal government interventions in addressing the farmer-herder conflicts that have plagued the region for years.
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