From hope to silence: Yelwata killers still at large

“It is truly perplexing that none of the individuals involved in these criminal activities, particularly the herders directly implicated, have faced any consequences. The situation is further complicated by the presence of informants who have aided these bandits, yet they, too, remain uninvestigated and free. One must wonder why law enforcement has not yet been able to apprehend those responsible for this coordinated assault, particularly in light of the boldness displayed during the incident in Yelwata. The complexities of community dynamics, the motivations of the informants, and the apparent lack of accountability raise troubling questions about the effectiveness of the response to such violent acts. How is it possible for individuals implicated in such a well-coordinated attack to evade capture?”

I have been anxiously anticipating the day when those responsible for the brutal killings of innocent men, women, and children in Yelwata will finally be held accountable for their heinous acts. This overwhelming burden of expectation weighs heavily on my heart as the painful memories of that horrific day continue to haunt me. I can still vividly recall the faces of those we lost—their eyes filled with hope and joy now extinguished forever. The haunting echoes of their laughter, which once filled our streets, were silenced in an instant by the violence that erupted. The sheer terror that enveloped our community during that tragic event is a feeling I struggle to shake off even now. Despite my profound hopes for justice and the countless sleepless nights I’ve spent envisioning the circumstances of their massacre, I find that justice continues to elude me. Each day that goes by without updates on the apprehension of those responsible for these atrocities only deepens my grief and frustration. It serves as a stark reminder of the rampant inequities that persist in our nation, where far too often, the cries for justice go unheard and unanswered. As I reflect on the families left behind, I am struck by the profound, life-altering impact this senseless massacre has had on their lives. Mothers and fathers who lost their children, siblings who will never share another moment, and communities left in disarray—all of them are victims of this tragedy in ways that most will never understand. Right now, I grapple with a profound sense of disappointment, as it seems the pursuit of justice is ongoing without any apparent signs of progress. The silence hangs in the air like a heavy fog, and I find myself longing for closure not only for my own sake but for the grieving families and community that continue to bear the scars of that fateful day.

A week has now elapsed since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue State, where he expressed deep sympathy to the grieving families affected by the tragic Yelwata massacre. During his emotional address, he not only extended his heartfelt condolences but also made firm commitments to ensure justice for the victims and their families. However, despite these promises, the situation on the ground remains troubling, as no arrests have yet been made in connection with this heinous crime that resulted in the loss of many lives and the displacement of entire communities. President Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation and pledged to send specialized security forces to the area to restore peace and stability. He outlined a vision for comprehensive security measures aimed at addressing the ongoing violence in the region. He explicitly questioned the Inspector General of Police, asking, “How is it possible that no one has been arrested for this heinous crime in Yelwata? Inspector General, where are the arrests? The President emphasized the urgent need for security agencies to apprehend the criminals without delay. His comments underscored the seriousness of the situation and emphasized the expectation that law enforcement should take swift action. In addition to demanding swift arrests, President Tinubu called upon the leaders of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to heighten their surveillance efforts. He stressed the need for these agencies to gather actionable intelligence that could lead to the identification and capture of the perpetrators involved in the violence. 

Furthermore, the President emphasized the importance of fostering a robust partnership between communities and law enforcement agencies. He urged General Christopher Musa to be vigilant and to cultivate collaboration that would not only enhance security but also help build trust between the local populace and the military. This holistic approach aims to ensure the safety of the community and prevent further incidents of violence. Despite ongoing discussions and investigations, community sources have indicated that there has been little to no significant progress regarding concrete actions, such as tangible outcomes or notable arrests linked to the Yelwata massacre. This lack of advancement has raised concerns among residents and advocacy groups, who are seeking justice and accountability for the victims involved in this tragic event. As a result, many feel frustrated by the apparent stagnation of efforts to address the violence and its aftermath. As days go by without any tangible developments, feelings of frustration and skepticism are growing among the residents of Benue. Many community members are beginning to view the assurances provided by President Tinubu as increasingly hollow, questioning whether the promises made will translate into real action. The lack of visible response from the authorities has left families in despair as they continue to mourn their loved ones and live in fear amid ongoing insecurity. The call for justice and accountability remains urgent as the community awaits a decisive response from both state and federal authorities.

A few days after President Tinubu visited Benue state, Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, addressed the nation regarding the tragic events surrounding the recent attacks on the Yelwata community. In a press conference held in Abuja, General Musa revealed that the soldiers assigned to protect Yelwata were misled due to the dissemination of inaccurate intelligence before the devastating incident, which resulted in the loss of over 200 lives. Musa explained that on the day of the attack, reports emerged from a nearby village indicating a potential assault, prompting the stationed troops to respond to these false alarms. This diversion of military resources left Yelwata vulnerable. As the soldiers hurried to assess the situation in the other village, armed assailants seized the opportunity to launch a meticulously coordinated and brutal attack on both Yelwata and the nearby Daudu, which is located in the Guma Local Government Area. The General articulated the gravity of the situation by stating, “There was a fake attack in the other village. When the troops moved in to respond to that misleading report, that is when the attackers came to strike the actual target—the Yelwata community.” 

His remarks underscored the critical importance of accurate intelligence in ensuring the safety of civilians and the effectiveness of military operations in conflict zones. He asserts that in the case of Yelwata, residents played a crucial role by providing essential intelligence about troop movements, including detailed information on the number of vehicles and soldiers stationed nearby. This local collaboration enabled the attackers to strategically position themselves and launch the assault with alarming precision and strategic intent. The defense chief elaborated that while the army was being intentionally misled regarding the attackers’ movements, those involved in the assault were receiving timely updates that informed them of the military’s actions. This critical misdirection was instrumental in ensuring the success of the attack. Musa expressed particular concern about the attackers’ apparent knowledge of specific targets, highlighting that the areas that were ultimately set ablaze were precisely those locations where internally displaced persons (IDPs) had sought refuge. This raises unsettling questions about the extent of the collusion and the tragic consequences for vulnerable populations caught in the conflict. It has become increasingly clear that informants have played a significant role in enabling the bandits to carry out this brazen attack. It is a well-established fact that outsiders cannot execute a crime within a community without some level of assistance from individuals on the inside who possess critical knowledge of the area and its dynamics. This pattern has been notably evident in Benue, where reports indicate that local youth are being financially incentivized to provide vital information to herders, thereby facilitating their operations. 

A pressing and critical question arises: who are the individuals operating behind the scenes that enable and support herders in carrying out such coordinated attacks with a concerning sense of impunity? What drives these actors, and what networks or organizations are they affiliated with? What factors contribute to our hesitation when it comes to discussing informants? Are we concerned about the potential repercussions for the informants themselves, or do we fear the implications it might have on the community? Additionally, is there a broader societal stigma surrounding informants that makes open conversations about them uncomfortable? These inquiries highlight serious concerns regarding the efficacy and preparedness of our law enforcement agencies to make arrests during tragedies like the Yelwata case. It leads me to question the significance of having the Tactical Air Command of the Nigeria Air Force based in Makurdi. Why did they fail to mobilize and respond to this horrific incident, allowing it to unfold without intervention? This inquiry becomes even more pressing when we consider the strategic locations of nearby military installations. Located just a few kilometers from the massacre site are two significant army barracks that are prepared for operational deployment: the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) and the 72 Army Battalion. These facilities are not merely local entities; they play a vital role in Nigeria’s military readiness and infrastructure. Given their proximity to Yelwata, it is perplexing that neither of these military units took decisive action to intervene or provide assistance when it was critically needed. The absence of a prompt response from these military organizations raises serious concerns about their operational readiness, effectiveness, and commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities during times of crisis. 

As I compose this article, it is truly perplexing that none of the individuals involved in these criminal activities, particularly the herders directly implicated, have faced any consequences. The situation is further complicated by the presence of informants who have aided these bandits, yet they, too, remain uninvestigated and free. One must wonder why law enforcement has not yet been able to apprehend those responsible for this coordinated assault, particularly in light of the boldness displayed during the incident in Yelwata. The complexities of community dynamics, the motivations of the informants, and the apparent lack of accountability raise troubling questions about the effectiveness of the response to such violent acts. How is it possible for individuals implicated in such a well-coordinated attack to evade capture? In a typical Western context, it’s common for high-ranking officials such as the chief of defense staff, the minister of defense, and even the inspector general of police to resign in the wake of significant failures in security or governance, especially in cases involving tragic events like the recent killings in Yelwata. These resignations often serve as a form of accountability, signaling that those in positions of power are willing to take responsibility for their roles in such crises. Regrettably, in our country, the culture of accountability seems to be lacking. There’s a prevailing sense of impunity that suggests that those responsible for maintaining law and order may evade any consequences for their actions or inactions. Civil society organizations have heightened their voices in expressing deep frustration regarding the ongoing situation surrounding the Yelwata massacre. They have leveled consistent accusations against both federal and state government officials, claiming that these authorities are not only failing to meet their obligations but are also neglecting the critical promise of justice for the victims and their families. The President’s visit was initially seen as a beacon of hope, generating optimism among the Yelwata community that peace might indeed come to pass. However, the absence of arrests prompts serious questions about the effectiveness of current law enforcement strategies and the systemic issues that may be enabling such lawlessness to persist.

The lack of arrests and substantial actions to confront the egregious acts committed during the massacre has significantly eroded public trust in the justice system. Consequently, a troubling reality has unfolded: the ideals of justice and accountability seem to be honored more in theory than in practice. This stark disconnect between promises made by officials and the absence of real progress is contributing to an atmosphere of disillusionment and anger among those seeking resolution and healing. The community’s patience is wearing thin, and the demand for genuine action is becoming increasingly urgent. This situation not only calls into question the established protocols that govern emergency responses but also highlights the pressing need to hold military forces accountable for their actions and ensure the protection of civilian lives during conflict. It becomes increasingly evident that there is an urgent necessity for comprehensive evaluations and systemic reforms within the armed forces. Such measures are critical to preventing the recurrence of similar failures in the future. As we take a moment to reflect on the heartbreaking loss of life in Yelwata, there is a growing concern that the immediate calls for justice will wane over time. The memories of this tragic massacre risk fading into obscurity, overshadowed by other pressing issues and problems that dominate the national discourse. This potential erosion of collective memory is alarming, as it suggests that the urgency for accountability may diminish, leaving the victims’ families and communities grappling with their profound grief in solitude. The tragedy, instead of catalyzing meaningful change or accountability, may slip into history as one of many forgotten events. This would perpetuate a cycle in which the pain of the affected communities remains unaddressed and unresolved. The fear is that the significance of this event, which demands reflection and transformation, could be lost, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow, frustration, and a deepened divide between the military and the very civilians it is meant to protect. Without sustained advocacy and focused reform initiatives, the voices of the victims and their loved ones may never receive the justice they rightly deserve.

The overwhelming silence from our local traditional institutions in the wake of these calamities has only intensified the pain felt by the families of the victims. Many of these families experience a deep sense of neglect, believing they are acknowledged only during high-profile visits while meaningful efforts toward justice and resolution remain absent. Some non-governmental organizations have criticized local traditional leaders for what they describe as a significant “stagnation in exposing the informants,” highlighting a systemic failure to address these issues at the grassroots level. Currently, traditional rulers have not revealed any informants as part of their purported investigations into these serious incidents. This lack of transparency continues to foster an environment of fear among survivors, many of whom live with the constant threat of further violence. Displaced families remain entrenched in makeshift camps, enduring harsh conditions without any clear timeline for potential resettlement or access to much-needed healing services. The question arises: how can a nation hope to progress when even the gravest offenses, such as mass murder, are left unaddressed? Justice must be actively pursued, with demonstrable actions taken to hold perpetrators accountable—not merely spoken about in front of cameras as part of a public relations effort. A collective commitment to addressing these issues is essential for restoring faith in the justice system and fostering a future where such atrocities are not repeated.

While we firmly advocate for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the heinous Yelwata massacre, it is equally imperative that we call upon security agencies to exercise discernment and fairness in their operations. In the fervor to seek justice for this tragic incident, we must be vigilant to ensure that no innocent citizen becomes an unintended victim of mistaken identity or hasty judgments often made in the heat of the moment. Historically, we have observed a concerning pattern of indiscriminate arrests, which frequently occur without substantial justification or credible evidence to support such actions. These arrests not only undermine the integrity of the justice system but also lead to numerous troubling instances where innocent individuals have been wrongfully detained. The repercussions of such actions extend well beyond the individuals involved; they ripple through the broader community, causing fear and fostering mistrust in law enforcement. These actions have far-reaching consequences that erode public confidence in the institutions meant to protect us. The community’s faith in law enforcement can easily be compromised when police actions resemble the very injustices they are tasked with combating. In our pursuit of justice, it is crucial to recognize that a rushed attempt to establish accountability may lead to outcomes that, unfortunately, mirror past injustices and create a cycle of distrust and resentment.

To prevent the recurrence of such grave mistakes, every effort must be made to ensure that the legal processes enacted are not only comprehensive but also transparent and consistently respectful of the rights of all citizens. This entails a robust commitment to conducting thorough investigations driven by credible evidence before any arrests are made. Law enforcement agencies must prioritize gathering complete facts and corroborating information rather than making decisions based on assumptions or societal pressures. Moreover, there should be a transparent mechanism for accountability within the security agencies themselves to ensure that their operations adhere to ethical standards that protect citizens’ rights. The pursuit of justice must not be viewed as an isolated endeavor; it should be deeply intertwined with the principles of fairness and equity. Only through this balanced approach can we truly aspire to build a society that values the rights and dignity of each individual, thereby fostering an environment where justice and equity coexist harmoniously. In doing so, we lay the foundation for a community that can heal from its traumas while ensuring that the rule of law prevails in its most just form.

As the residents of Benue and Yelwata continue to endure profound grief, displacement, and the persistent anxiety surrounding justice, we urgently call upon the government and law enforcement agencies to prioritize a transparent and credible investigation into the recent events. It is crucial to thoroughly identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those responsible for these heinous acts. To facilitate this, we advocate for enhanced intelligence-gathering efforts and the establishment of robust early warning systems that can effectively preempt future violence. Protecting the survivors of these atrocities is imperative; they require support, safety, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. We further underscore the importance of meaningful engagement with community leaders and civil society organizations, as their local knowledge and perspectives are essential for developing solutions that are both effective and sustainable. We urge the authorities to demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law and respecting human rights in all facets of their response. Our quest for justice for Yelwata is not simply a call for punitive measures; it must be comprehensive, lawful, and aimed at restorative outcomes. We advocate for a process that reveals the truth and promotes healing for those affected while ensuring the protection of every Nigerian life. We are not seeking revenge; instead, we aspire for accountability, understanding, and a collective effort to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.

Rev. Ma, S. J., is a Jesuit Catholic priest of the North West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus. He currently writes from Abuja, Nigeria.