“They killed 20 of my family members And burnt my house”Benue survivor

A survivor of the recent massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, has shared a harrowing account of the night suspected herdsmen attacked his community, killing over 100 people.

The attack, which occurred on June 14, came less than 48 hours after similar killings in Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa communities in Makurdi LGA, where 25 people were killed.

Speaking with News Central TV, Michael Ajah, a resident of Yelwata, said he lost 20 members of his family during the raid and escaped with nothing but the clothes he was wearing.

“They burned my clothes and all our food. The clothes I’m wearing are what I came out with. It’s the only thing I have left,” he said.

Ajah recalled that it was raining that evening, and at about 10:20 pm, they heard gunshots.

“Before we could comprehend what was happening, Fulani men came. I’m sure they were Fulani men because I heard them speaking clearly. I narrowly escaped,” he added.

Pointing at destroyed buildings, he said: “Eleven of my family members died in this house, and eight died here. In total, 20 of my family members died that day. My stores were burned, my house was burned, and where I stored my goods was burned.”

Another survivor, Bature Bartholomew, said his younger brother, sister-in-law, and mother were burned alive.

“My younger brother stays here, but he was burned alive. My brother, his wife, mother and many others were burnt here,” he said. “It’s over millions of naira that I lost in this store.”

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to visit Benue on Wednesday.