Wannune, Tarka LGA, Benue State – June 20, 2025
In a shocking development barely two days after President Bola Tinubu toured the state, armed herdsmen launched a brutal assault on the Wannune community in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.
Local residents, including a Youth Corps member posted to the area, recounted harrowing scenes: attackers set homes ablaze, forcing families to flee into surrounding bushes in desperation. In an SOS plea, the youth corps member said, “Everyone is running into the bushes for safety. Please let Nigerians pray for us. The herdsmen are ravaging the environment now.”
This attack comes as a stark reminder of the persistent insecurity in the region—occurring only two days after President Tinubu visited Benue to address the violence. During his visit on June 18, he urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to arrest those behind previous massacres, including a horrific attack in Yelewata community that left approximately 200 dead. Despite assurances, the latest strike suggests those efforts have yet to stabilize the situation.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the presidential visit, calling it more of a “political spectacle” than a true commitment to solving insecurity. His media adviser, Paul Ibe, noted, “The visit was marred by political theatrics.”
This newest onslaught in Wannune further underscores the urgency for decisive action. With homes destroyed and residents displaced, calls are growing for the federal and state governments to implement more robust security measures—tackling both the immediate violence and its root causes, including grazing land disputes and law enforcement shortfalls.
Contextual background
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The attack follows a wave of violence across Benue, including massacres in Yelewata (mid-June) and earlier violence in Aondona and surrounding areas.
A recent academic study has shown that increased insecurity in Benue correlates with significant drops in both crop and livestock outputs—highlighting long-term socio-economic impacts.
Across Nigeria, attacks by armed herdsmen and bandits continue to claim numerous lives and displace thousands, reinforcing the need for sustained, effective interventions.