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By Tracy Moses
Following the tragic killing of over 200 residents in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the Executive Director of Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN), Dr. Timipere Allison, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement far-reaching and community-based security reforms to curb the rising violence.
In a statement signed by Dr. Allison and released to the press through CORN’s Director of Communication on Wednesday, Professor Oludayo Tade, on Wednesday, he appealed for urgent government intervention, including the provision of psychological and material support to victims and their families.
Dr. Allison decried the failure of the state to curtail the operations of armed non-state actors, warning that their unchecked activities highlight the deepening lapses in Nigeria’s internal security system.
He said, “The ability of these violent groups to repeatedly assault communities without consequences reflects a worrying breakdown in law enforcement. This continued impunity empowers the attackers and erodes the foundations of national security.”
The CORN Executive Director also urged President Tinubu to ensure the protection of at-risk communities in Benue State and other vulnerable areas across the country.
He further called for an immediate and credible investigation into the massacre, stressing the need for the prosecution of those responsible. He urged the government to boost funding and capacity for the Nigeria Police, Armed Forces, and intelligence services to ensure better protection of civilians.
While commending both governmental and non-governmental efforts aimed at restoring peace in the North-Central region, Dr. Allison emphasized that CORN’s data reveals a clear pattern: the absence of security presence in rural communities provides a breeding ground for violent actors.
He stated, “Our research consistently shows that unprotected communities in the Middle Belt are increasingly falling prey to heavily armed non-state groups. This reality demands a complete restructuring of Nigeria’s security operations, one that brings law enforcement closer to the grassroots.”
According to him, a new security model must embed localized protection units within communities and integrate them with the nation’s justice system, ensuring both enforcement of laws and accountability for violations.
Dr. Allison reaffirmed CORN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace, human dignity, and justice, pledging to continue collaboration with civil society, traditional leaders, and policymakers nationwide.
He condemned the Yelewata killings in the strongest terms, describing the attack as a devastating blow to the country’s human rights obligations and a sign of systemic failure.
“The slaughter of over 150 innocent civilians, men, women, children, and the elderly, as well as the destruction of homes, food sources, and communal property, amounts to a severe human rights violation and contravenes global humanitarian principles,” the statement read.
CORN stands in solidarity with the affected communities and calls for justice, healing, and an urgent end to the violence devastating the region.