UN Chief Condemns Benue Massacre, Calls For Arrest Of Perpetrators

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the weekend massacre in Benue State, where dozens of civilians were killed in their sleep during a brutal attack on the village of Yelewata.

In a statement delivered by his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, Guterres expressed deep concern over the violence, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice.

“We’re monitoring the situation. The Secretary-General condemns the killing of innocent civilians, including in Nigeria, and we hope that those responsible for this violence will be found and apprehended,” Haq said.

The attack, carried out by suspected armed herdsmen, left scores dead and displaced many residents, drawing both national and international outrage.

President Bola Tinubu has also condemned the killings and is expected to visit Benue on Wednesday to push for peace and engage with stakeholders across the state. His itinerary includes meetings with traditional rulers, political leaders, religious heads, and youth representatives in a bid to find lasting solutions to the long-running conflict.

The massacre in Yelewata is the latest in a string of deadly attacks that have plagued Benue communities, fueling calls for urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities.