The recent impromptu visit of President Bola Tinubu to Benue State, following the horrific massacre of over 200 defenceless citizens, highlights a recurring pattern of violence and perceived governmental inaction. For the visit to be truly significant, it must culminate in the capture and prosecution of those responsible for these escalating acts of terror. The frequent killings of innocent people in Benue and other regions have been met with little more than lamentations and unfulfilled promises by authorities, underscoring an urgent need for sincere, potent, and sustainable action against what is described as the madness of terrorist and genocidal attacks.

A particularly brutal incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 13, 2025, when terrorists invaded Yelewata town in Guma Local Council, Benue State. They ruthlessly killed approximately 200 residents, burning their homes and specifically targeting internally displaced families. These displaced persons, housed in temporary accommodations at Yelewata’s market square near Makurdi, were attacked as they slept; their buildings were set ablaze with fuel, and anyone attempting to flee was met with machetes. A first-hand report to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) detailed how police had earlier repelled attackers from St. Joseph’s Church, where 700 displaced people were sleeping. However, later that same evening, the criminals succeeded in storming the market square, setting doors on fire before opening fire on an area where about 500 people were asleep, resulting in a marked atrocity against innocent Nigerians, including women and children.

The international community and national leaders have condemned the attacks. Pope Leo XIV, Head of the Catholic Church, described the incident as a ‘terrible massacre’ perpetrated with ‘extreme cruelty’. On the national front, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, who visited the scene, called the attacks 'madness' and suggested that security operatives suspected insider information from within the communities. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, declared it an attack on Nigeria's sovereignty and integrity. Gen. Musa further stated, “We always receive information that these attackers are coming from across the borders. Wherever they are coming from, we will go after them. We must not wait for them to strike first,” and disclosed plans to visit Nasarawa State to strengthen crucial border security coordination.

However, critical questions have arisen regarding the efficacy and timing of security responses. Given the history of successful killings in Benue, it is questioned why it is only now occurring to the military, which relies heavily on intelligence, that community insiders might be aiding attackers. The repeated mention by Gen. Musa that information about cross-border attackers was 'always' received begs the question of what prior actions were taken. It is baffling that strengthening border security measures are deemed necessary only after such a devastating massacre. Furthermore, the inconsistency of the police force, which successfully repelled attackers from St. Joseph’s Church but failed to protect another group of displaced persons in the same town on the same evening, raises concerns about their operational capacity and commitment.

The response from the presidency has also fallen short of public expectations. The gory incident occurred on June 13, but President Tinubu did not visit Benue until June 18, merely instructing service chiefs to enforce an ‘earlier directive’ for lasting peace. Many Nigerians believe that timely implementation of this directive could have saved lives. Doubts persist about whether top military chiefs, who were reportedly asked to relocate to Benue, actually did so, especially given that many visiting officials left after only a few hours, suggesting a perceived lack of personal safety. President Tinubu’s request for Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead dialogue and reconciliation efforts has been met with skepticism, as it is unclear who Governor Alia would dialogue with if the attackers are indeed foreign. Many argue that as Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu should have extended his stay to personally oversee peace efforts.

A pervasive belief among Nigerians is that the fight against terrorism has become a lucrative enterprise for those tasked with ending it, leading to widespread compromise within security operatives and institutions. Citizens suspect that security personnel, in collaboration with some political office holders, are profiting from taxpayer money allocated for the war against criminals. This perceived corruption, rather than a lack of capacity, is increasingly seen as the core problem hindering the obliteration of hoodlums. Trillions of naira have been spent with little tangible result, prompting calls for a thorough probe. The government is urged to critically review and reform its anti-terrorism strategy to effectively curb the shedding of innocent blood and protect Nigeria from further ridicule and annihilation.