Four residents of Yelwata, a community in Benue State’s Guma Local Government Area where suspected terrorists reportedly killed over 200 people, recount their painful experiences to JOHN CHARLES, who visited the now-deserted village.
Can we know your name?
My name is Teide User. I’m 35 years old, a farmer, married, and have a child. My wife is also currently pregnant.
Where were you when the attack occurred?
That Friday, my father sent me to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, to secure the release of my younger brother, who had been arrested for allegedly stealing a cow. He was taken to Lafia even though the arrest happened in our community.
Why was your brother taken to Lafia instead of being handled by the Benue State Police Command, since Yelwata is part of Benue State?
That’s a question we’ve been asking for a long time. We don’t understand why issues from our community are referred to Lafia. Even though we’re in Benue, the police always seem to operate from Lafia in such cases.
Could the reason be that Lafia is geographically closer to Yelwata?
I really can’t say. Only the police can explain that. Since you’re coming from Makurdi, maybe you can ask their superiors there.
Was there a known issue of cattle rustling in the area before your brother’s arrest?
I’m not aware of any such incident. I don’t believe he was involved in anything like that. If he had truly stolen a cow, I doubt I would’ve been able to get him out on bail that day.
What happened when you returned from Lafia?
I heard that while I was away, some Fulani men came to meet with our elders, requesting peaceful coexistence with the community.
Was that visit connected to the cattle rustling accusation?
No. A week earlier, there had been a clash in Daudu, a nearby community. A Fulani man allegedly defecated in a stream that people use for household needs. This led to a fight with a Tiv youth. Both were injured and later treated at the hospital, with the local government covering their bills. We believe that incident was the reason the Fulani elders came to Yelwata that Friday—to make peace.
Unfortunately, that same day, we were attacked. We later heard that before the assault on Yelwata, the attackers had gone to Daudu but were repelled by security forces and local youths. It seems the attackers split into two groups—one targeted Daudu and the other came here. Youths in Yelwata, including my brother, tried to resist, but when the Daudu group failed and regrouped with the Yelwata attackers, they overwhelmed our community.
Were there any warnings of an impending attack?
Yes, there were rumors that Yelwata and other nearby communities were on a hit list.
Did you lose any family members in the attack?
Yes. My younger brother, Peter User, who just completed secondary school at Mount Sinai Academic College in Kardarko, was killed. My uncle, Francis User, a retired soldier, was also killed along with his two sons—Terser, an HND graduate who hadn’t yet found a job, and Onyema.
How did the attack unfold?
I returned late from Lafia and dropped my brother at our family home before heading to my own house. Around 11 p.m., gunfire erupted. Peter got up and joined other community youths who volunteered to defend the area. That was the last time we saw him.
Chaos broke out, and everyone ran for safety. I couldn’t locate my pregnant wife and child until Saturday morning. The attackers struck around 10:50 p.m. and didn’t leave until about 2 a.m. It was a horrifying night. By dawn, the destruction was clear—people were crying everywhere. Survivors searched for missing relatives. That’s when my father informed me Peter had gone out during the chaos. By then, I had reunited with my family.
Any final thoughts?
All I can say is that what happened reflects the painful reality we live with daily in this community.
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