Suspected herdsmen have launched a fresh assault on Wannune community in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, just 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu visited the state to address its deteriorating security situation.
According to terrified residents who spoke with SaharaReporters on Friday evening, the attackers set homes ablaze and razed everything in sight, sending residents fleeing into the surrounding bushes in panic.
A youth corps member serving in the area described the chaos, saying:
“Everyone is running into the bushes for safety. Please let Nigerians pray for us. The herdsmen are ravaging the environment now.”
This latest attack comes in the wake of President Tinubu’s high-profile visit to Benue State earlier this week, following the Yelewata massacre in Guma LGA where nearly 200 lives were lost. During his visit, Tinubu met with community stakeholders and reportedly ordered both the Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Defence Staff to take decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators.
However, Friday’s violent outbreak in Wannune raises questions about the effectiveness and immediacy of the federal government’s security measures.
Public Criticism and Outrage Mount
The incident has renewed public outcry over the persistent attacks by armed herdsmen, which have plagued various communities across Benue State for years. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar earlier criticized Tinubu’s visit, describing it as a “political spectacle” rather than a substantive response to the crisis.
“It’s commendable when a leader empathizes 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,” said Paul Ibe, Atiku’s Media Adviser.
Despite repeated assurances from the presidency, state residents say no effective deterrent has yet been deployed to protect vulnerable communities. Local leaders and humanitarian groups are calling for concrete, community-based security reforms and emergency support for displaced families.
The continued violence highlights the failure to address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria, including land-use disputes, lack of enforcement, and arms proliferation.
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