The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi (MOAUM) chapter, has expressed deep outrage over the recent brutal attack on the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by the chapter’s Chairperson, Mr. Ali Ako, and Secretary, Mr. Daniel Chile, the union described the attack as yet another tragic blow in a growing wave of violence across the state.
ASUU-MOAUM lamented the persistent security failures that have allowed such heinous acts to be perpetrated repeatedly. They described the Yelewata assault as “one attack too many,” warning that the frequency and severity of such incidents have become intolerable.
According to the union, the continuous loss of innocent lives, the wanton destruction of property, and the widespread fear among citizens pose a serious threat to the peace, stability, and socio-economic fabric of Benue State.
The union particularly condemned the timing of the attack, which occurred during the peak of the rainy and farming season—a period that is crucial for agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria.
“It is especially disturbing that these unprovoked attacks are being launched against rural farming communities at a time when agriculture is most critical for both local sustenance and national economic stability,” the statement noted.
They highlighted the plight of Benue’s predominantly agrarian population, who, they said, have been systematically displaced from their ancestral lands by armed herders. The union warned that the inability of farmers to access their lands is not only a direct threat to their livelihoods but also a looming danger to food security across Nigeria.
Calling for urgent intervention, ASUU-MOAUM urged both the federal and state governments to rise to their constitutional duty of protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian, especially those in rural and vulnerable communities.
They stressed the need for urgent and unbiased action from security agencies to prevent further bloodshed and to restore a sense of safety and order in affected areas.
“Those responsible for these barbaric acts in Benue State must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice without delay,” the union demanded.
In addition to justice, the union also called for immediate humanitarian assistance for those affected by the Yelewata tragedy. They advocated for the establishment of effective resettlement and rehabilitation programmes to facilitate the safe return of displaced individuals and the rebuilding of their communities.
Expressing their heartfelt solidarity, the union extended condolences to the families and communities mourning their loved ones and grappling with the aftermath of the attack. “In these trying times, we stand with the good people of Benue State and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and the sanctity of human life and dignity,” the statement concluded.
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