Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has strongly condemned the recent massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing the attack—which reportedly claimed over 200 lives—as “mindless barbarism” and a national tragedy.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Terrence Kuanum, the SGF expressed deep sorrow and outrage at what he called a “gruesome and senseless” act of terrorism, mostly affecting women and children.
“It is totally unacceptable that over 200 innocent persons—many of them women and children—could have their lives cut short in such a cruel and inhumane manner,” Akume said.
The former governor of Benue State (1999–2007) extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and sympathised with survivors still reeling from the trauma. He also called for urgent, unified action to put an end to the violence.
“As a former governor of this great state, I understand the complexities of fighting insecurity. But I firmly believe that with political will, community cooperation, and decisive leadership, we can overcome this evil,” he added.
Akume urged political, religious, and traditional leaders across the country to set aside differences and work collaboratively to eradicate insecurity in all its forms—not just in Benue State but across Nigeria.
He also expressed confidence in the directive recently issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, mandating the nation’s service chiefs to bring an end to the persistent attacks in Benue and other hotspots.
“This renewed mandate by Mr. President reinforces the administration’s commitment to the safety of every Nigerian. The people of Benue must not lose hope. They should remain resilient, cooperate with security agencies, and continue to stand firm against those who seek to destroy our communities,” Akume said.
Reiterating the central role of security in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the SGF emphasized that the federal government is unwavering in its resolve to secure lives and property and restore peace across the country.
