Fresh Herdsmen Attack Rocks Benue Community 48 Hours After Tinubu’s Visit
Fresh Herdsmen Attack Rocks Benue Community 48 Hours After Tinubu’s Visit
Just two days after President Bola Tinubu visited Benue State to address ongoing security concerns, residents of Wannune community in Tarka Local Government Area were thrown into panic as armed herdsmen launched another violent attack.
The attack, which occurred late Friday, left houses burned and residents fleeing for their lives into nearby bushes. Locals told SaharaReporters that the armed men moved swiftly, destroying properties and leaving a trail of fear and chaos in their wake.
A youth corps member serving in the area described the terrifying moment the violence broke out.
“Everyone is running into the bushes for safety. Please let Nigerians pray for us. The herdsmen are ravaging the environment now,” the corps member said in a desperate SOS, pleading for urgent intervention from security agencies.
This fresh attack casts a shadow over President Tinubu’s recent visit to the state. During his visit, the President met with stakeholders and directed the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to bring the perpetrators of recent killings to justice.
The visit came in the wake of the massacre in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, where nearly 200 people were killed — a tragedy that sparked national outrage and drew criticism from several quarters.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, through his media adviser Paul Ibe, labelled Tinubu’s visit a “political spectacle,” arguing that it lacked genuine effort to solve the worsening crisis.
“It’s commendable when a leader empathises with the people; offering a shoulder to lean on and sharing in their grief is a mark of true leadership. However, the visit was marred by political theatrics,” Ibe said.
The renewed violence in Wannune has once again highlighted the fragility of security in Benue State and raised serious questions about the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
Human rights groups and concerned citizens are now calling on the federal government to go beyond promises and directives by deploying effective, long-term solutions to end the cycle of violence that continues to claim innocent lives across the state.