Condemnation of Benue State Massacre Calls for Comprehensive Intervention

The senseless massacre of over 200 people in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has been strongly condemned by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) as an 'appalling new low in human cruelty.' The vicious attacks, which left many dead, scores wounded, and families displaced, are part of a decades-long cycle of violence in the region. CAPPA has called for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral intervention, including the disarmament of herder militias, prosecution of their leaders, and the formation of community-led peace councils.

Key Takeaways:

• The massacre in Yelewata and Daudu communities has resulted in over 200 fatalities and scores of wounded individuals, with families displaced without shelter or medical care.
• The violence is part of a decades-long cycle of conflict between agrarian communities and pastoralist herders over land, water, and grazing rights.
• CAPPA has denounced the police's use of tear gas on mourning communities, stating that it compounds the initial crime and signifies the security apparatus's inability to distinguish between victims and perpetrators.
• CAPPA is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alia to convene a federal-state security summit to empower a dedicated task force to address the crisis.
• The organisation is recommending the formation of community-led peace councils, modern ranching projects, and a victims' compensation fund to rebuild lives in affected areas.
• CAPPA has also called for the Nigeria Police Force to issue a formal apology for the teargassing of distraught indigenes and to adopt dialogue-based protest management protocols.

Statistics:

• Over 200 people have been killed in the Yelewata and Daudu communities massacre.
• Scores of people have been wounded in the attacks.
• Families displaced by the violence are in dire need of shelter and medical care.

Sources:

• CAPPA (Corporation Accountability and Public Participation Africa) - "Condemning the massacre in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Benue State"
• Statement by Robert Egbe, Media and Communication Officer, CAPPA.