Barely 48 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue State to address the escalating security crisis, suspected armed herdsmen have launched a fresh attack on Wannune community in Tarka Local Government Area, leaving destruction and panic in their wake.
Residents of the community reported that the attack occurred on Friday evening, as gunmen stormed the area, burning homes and destroying property. The assault triggered widespread panic, with villagers—including women, children, and the elderly—fleeing into the surrounding bushes for safety.
One of the residents, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), described the scene as chaotic and frightening. According to him, the entire community was thrown into disarray as people ran in different directions to escape the violence. He made an emotional plea to Nigerians to pray for the community and called on security agencies for immediate intervention.
This renewed attack has raised serious concerns about the impact of President Tinubu’s recent visit to the state. During the visit, the President held meetings with state leaders and security officials and issued firm directives to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to arrest those responsible for the previous killings in the state.
The President’s visit came in the aftermath of a mass killing in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, where approximately 200 residents were reportedly massacred in a violent invasion. That incident sparked national outrage and prompted widespread condemnation of the worsening insecurity in Benue and the broader Middle Belt region.
In reaction to the President’s visit, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the trip, calling it a “political spectacle” that lacked substance and genuine commitment to resolving the crisis. His media adviser, Paul Ibe, stated that while empathy from a leader is commendable, the visit appeared more performative than impactful.
“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 fresh attack in Wannune highlights the persistent threat faced by communities across Benue State and the urgent need for more effective and sustained government action. Analysts and local leaders have called for the implementation of long-term security reforms, including increased deployment of military personnel, improved intelligence coordination, and lasting solutions to the underlying land and resource conflicts between herders and farmers.
As affected residents continue to seek refuge and recover from the trauma, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on how the federal government will respond to this latest tragedy—and whether the cycle of violence in Benue can finally be broken.
