• Latest
  • Trending

‘Our only crime was asking them to leave our land,’ Benue attack survivor mourns eight family members

June 17, 2025

Police rescues woman who tried to report sun at station

October 28, 2025

Ogun FRSC Spokesperson, Florence Okpe, Dies After Prolonged Illness

October 28, 2025

The Imperatives of Fresh Water Provisions and Conservation in the Socio- Economic Development of Nigeria

October 28, 2025

Nigeria’s Economy on Firm Growth Path

October 28, 2025

FG to expand cash transfer beyond 15 million households — Edun

October 28, 2025

US Permanently Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa

October 28, 2025

North-Central APC Faults Plateau Leaders for Rejecting Governor Mutfwang’s Defection Proposal

October 28, 2025

170 foreigners apply for Nigerian citizenship – Tunji-Ojo

October 28, 2025

Putin hails successful test of Russia’s nuclear-powered missile

October 28, 2025

Lagos Ministry Rescues Mentally Distressed Woman

October 28, 2025

Kanu Refuses to Open Defence, Claims No Case Against Him in Terrorism Trial

October 28, 2025

Rivers Court Acquits 12 in Police Inspector’s Death Amid Controversy

October 28, 2025

Alassane Ouattara Declared Winner of Ivory Coast Presidential Election

October 28, 2025

Tinubu, Kessington Honoured at London’s House of Lords

October 28, 2025

Ogun State Governor Boosts Super Falcons with ₦50 Million Ahead of Crucial WAFCON Qualifier

October 28, 2025

EFCC Warns Gemstone Miners and Dealers Against Money Laundering

October 28, 2025

BDC Operators Face Dollar Scarcity Amid CBN Forex Reforms

October 28, 2025

NHIA Reaffirms Commitment to Enrollee-Centered Care

October 27, 2025

Why I chose A’Ibom for my music concert — Davido

October 27, 2025

BREAKING: Turaki submits PDP chairmanship nomination form

October 27, 2025

Yoruba Group Condemns Rumoured Coup Plot Against Tinubu

October 27, 2025

Ex-PM jailed one year over social media post

October 27, 2025

Freed Migrant Sex Offender Re-Arrested, to Be Deported

October 27, 2025

England Legend Swaps Football Glory for Life as a Courier

October 27, 2025

Girl, 5, Throws Newborn Sister From Window After Being Left Alone

October 27, 2025

Lagos State Compensates Oworo Residents in Urban Renewal Drive

October 27, 2025

Rice Prices Plunge in Lagos Markets Amid Surge in Supply

October 27, 2025

Sisters Racing Led to Fatal Crash Killing 3 North Carolina High School Football Players

October 27, 2025

Pastor Olorunfemi Deported by Canada over Fraudulent Asylum Claims

October 26, 2025

Lagos Intensifies Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

October 26, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • BREAKING NEWS
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
    • Sports
ValidView Network - Breaking News, Nigerian News, Nigerian newspapers, Entertainment, Videos, Sports, Business and Politics.
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Home
  • BREAKING NEWS
  • Tech
    • All
    • Apps

    A New Era Begins: Traffic Lights to Add Fourth White Signal for Autonomous Vehicles

    Nigerian Girls Triumph at 2025 Technovation Global Summit with AI Safety App

    Trump sees progress on TikTok, says will visit China

    French lawmakers urge socialmedia ban for under-15s

    The Future of Internet Connectivity in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges

    CBN awards OPay for financial inclusion innovation

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • CELEBRATIONS
    • Gaming
    • History and Culture
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports

    Ogun State Governor Boosts Super Falcons with ₦50 Million Ahead of Crucial WAFCON Qualifier

    Why I chose A’Ibom for my music concert — Davido

    England Legend Swaps Football Glory for Life as a Courier

    Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo Seal Historic Yoruba Unity Pact

    Abiodun Urges Ogun Traditional Rulers to Lead with Humility and Integrity

    FULL LIST: Osimhen, Salah make CAF 2025 African male player nominees list

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Health

    Tinubu, Kessington Honoured at London’s House of Lords

    NHIA Reaffirms Commitment to Enrollee-Centered Care

    Lagos Intensifies Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

    FG Doubles Health Insurance Rates, Launches One-Hour Patient Referral Code

    FG Doubles Health Insurance Rates, Launches One-Hour Patient Referral Code

    Ondo State CPS Continues Support for Children of Deceased Journalists

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Game of Thrones
    • MotoGP 2017
    • eSports
    • Fashion Week
  • Education
    • Sports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • BREAKING NEWS
  • Tech
    • All
    • Apps

    A New Era Begins: Traffic Lights to Add Fourth White Signal for Autonomous Vehicles

    Nigerian Girls Triumph at 2025 Technovation Global Summit with AI Safety App

    Trump sees progress on TikTok, says will visit China

    French lawmakers urge socialmedia ban for under-15s

    The Future of Internet Connectivity in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges

    CBN awards OPay for financial inclusion innovation

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • CELEBRATIONS
    • Gaming
    • History and Culture
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports

    Ogun State Governor Boosts Super Falcons with ₦50 Million Ahead of Crucial WAFCON Qualifier

    Why I chose A’Ibom for my music concert — Davido

    England Legend Swaps Football Glory for Life as a Courier

    Ooni of Ife and Alaafin of Oyo Seal Historic Yoruba Unity Pact

    Abiodun Urges Ogun Traditional Rulers to Lead with Humility and Integrity

    FULL LIST: Osimhen, Salah make CAF 2025 African male player nominees list

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Health

    Tinubu, Kessington Honoured at London’s House of Lords

    NHIA Reaffirms Commitment to Enrollee-Centered Care

    Lagos Intensifies Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

    FG Doubles Health Insurance Rates, Launches One-Hour Patient Referral Code

    FG Doubles Health Insurance Rates, Launches One-Hour Patient Referral Code

    Ondo State CPS Continues Support for Children of Deceased Journalists

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Game of Thrones
    • MotoGP 2017
    • eSports
    • Fashion Week
  • Education
    • Sports
No Result
View All Result
ValidView Network - Breaking News, Nigerian News, Nigerian newspapers, Entertainment, Videos, Sports, Business and Politics.
No Result
View All Result

‘Our only crime was asking them to leave our land,’ Benue attack survivor mourns eight family members

ValidViewNetwork by ValidViewNetwork
June 17, 2025
in Metro
0 0
0
Home Metro
ADVERTISEMENT
0
SHARES
27
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
Spread the love

A survivor of the recent deadly attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Joseph Kwagh, has recounted the horrifying moment he lost eight members of his immediate family, including his father, stepmother, and six siblings.

Speaking in an interview with News Central TV, Kwagh revealed that the attackers had sent prior warnings to the community, which residents had dismissed due to similar past threats that never materialised.

“On the day of the attacks, there were rumours that Fulani herdsmen have sent messages across that they are coming to attack Yelewata, just like every other time, they have always sent threats of attacking Yelewata.

“We are used to hearing rumours of the attackers coming and most times, when they come, they meet stiff resistance from the military, police and local vigilantes stationed in our community and they go back. So, we had thought it will be same situation as it has been in the past.

“We thought it was like previous rumours that come and go without anything happening. We sat vigil outside our houses, talking and sharing stories. This time around, they were well-armed and hell-bent on killing anyone they see. That is why even babies were hacked to death.” Kwagh said.

According to him, the community members remained outdoors that evening, unaware of the looming tragedy, until they sought shelter during a downpour.

Kwagh said, “And then the rains started falling down heavily, all of a sudden and everyone rushed to seek refuge under the various shelters. My father, his wife (my step-mother), and six of my siblings now crossed to the other side of the expressway to the other house that was serving as grain stores to get shielded from the rains.

“At this point, there were gunshots everywhere in Yelewata with pandemonium everywhere. Not long enough, I heard cries and shouts across the other side of the road, where my father, step-mother and my other siblings had gone to seek shelter, but with the heavy rain, the noise was too loud to get to know what the shouts/cries were.

“Not until someone came running towards our location with blood all over him and saying that they have come and killing people, that was when I and my mother and the rest of my biological brothers and sisters decided to flee to the place where the security agents were also engaging the attackers from all positions. That was how I was able to escape with my mother and siblings to safety.

“The local vigilantes, the military and police really did their best, but I guess they ran out of ammunition, until reinforcement came in from Makurdi.”

He later returned to the house where his relatives had gone and discovered their charred remains among the burnt stores.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

“I was able to go to the very house my father and the other members of our family went to hide, where I discovered his charred remains along with my step-mother and siblings. I was really devastated.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“We had foodstuffs in the store, where we normally go to restock our household. All burnt down along with our family members,” he reportedly said.

He also lamented the loss of not just his loved ones but also his means of livelihood, describing it as a devastating blow to his future.

“My worst fears are that, these deaths have created a vacuum that I cannot fill. I have lost the little investment in terms of my savings, my foodstuffs, seedlings for this year’s planting season and the fear of not being able to go back to farm again… because you never can tell what these pastoralists are capable of doing going further.

“My remaining surviving family is where I am gathering strength from. There is no one except me to cater for their needs. And that as far as there is life, there will be hope too,” he said.

He further blamed the longstanding herder-farmer crisis for the tragedy, noting that tensions had escalated over disputes involving grazing on farmland.

He said, “Before this time, there has been cases of cattle grazing on our farmland and when we arrest the cattle and take to the police authority, the compensation is never commiserate with the value or worth of crops destroyed by the grazing cattle. And we end up getting impoverished every season.

“Our elders decided to ask them to leave our land, so that they can farm peacefully. That is our only crime. Nobody harmed them. They only said, since we are refusing them to graze on our land, that we too will not know peace. That is their threat to us.

Do you want to share a story with us?
Do you want to advertise with us?
Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event?
Contact us on WhatsApp +2348033617468, +234 816 612 1513, +234 703 010 7174
or Email: validviewnetwork@gmail.com
CLICK TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP
ADVERTISEMENT

“The world should be told that the peaceful place called Yelewata was massacred by Fulani pastorists, who have been waging war against us, unprovoked attacks, such that we are not able to go to farm to cultivate and grow crops, our only source of livelihood.”

ValidViewNetwork reported on Sunday that at least 45 people were killed in the attacks which started on Friday night and continued to the early hours of Saturday.

President Bola Tinubu has also rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State saying that he will travel to Benue State on Wednesday as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.

Tags: Benue attackSurvivor
Previous Post

Benue Speaker orders release of detained protesters

Next Post

Police foil kidnap attempt, arrest wanted man, others

ValidViewNetwork

ValidViewNetwork

Next Post

Police foil kidnap attempt, arrest wanted man, others

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the latest news from ValidViewNetwork
Loading

SPONSORED ADVERT

SPONSORED ADVERT

As the Lord liveth, you are feeling bushing this 6th month better and stronger than the way you started it in Jesus Mighty Name. Our angels of good news shall locate us this month. Shalom!

  • Home
  • BREAKING NEWS
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Education

© 2022 ValidViewNetwork - Website Developed by HaybeeMultimedia.

No Result
View All Result

© 2022 ValidViewNetwork - Website Developed by HaybeeMultimedia.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist