Reps seek justice for Yelwata attack victims
The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recent killings at Yelwata town in Benue State.
The Green Chamber promised to ensure that the victims and their families get justice so that the perpetrators do not get away with their heinous crime.
The House also asked security agencies and the Federal Government to intensify efforts at restoring peace and security to the town and other affected communities while protecting all vother lnerable communities.
Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Dickson Tarkighir, the lawmakers asked the Federal Government to build Forward Operation Base (FOB) for the army in Yelwata to forestall further attacks on the border community.
The House directed its Committee on Interior and Security to immediately visit Yelwata and other affected communities in Guma Local Government Area to assess the situation.
It also asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and all relevant agencies to provide adequate materials and medical assistance to the displaced persons and victims of the attack.
Moving the motion, Tarkighir said over 200 indigenes of Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State were killed in the attack on June 14, 2025.
According to him, thousands of residents have been displaced, leading to a dire humanitarian situation marked by loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread destitution.
The lawmaker said similar attacks had occurred regularly within and beyond his constituency, exacerbating insecurity and fear among the communities in the region.
He stressed that the scale of the crisis required immediate and coordinated intervention to prevent further loss of lives and to provide adequate support for the displaced and affected communities;
Tarkighir said any delay in response and lack of comprehensive security measures might escalate the violence and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the area.
