Governor Hyacinth Alia on Sunday confirmed the killing of 59 persons at Yelewata, where suspected herdsmen from Nasarawa State attacked the border town.

Addressing journalists at the Government House, Alia said the figures are based on physical headcounts by security agencies working with families of those killed.

Among those killed were military and civil defence personnel who fought to defend Yelewata against the attacks.

Governor Alia also gave some credit to his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, who shared some intelligence on the killings which also left one woman dead on the Nasarawa axis.

The governor gave the details when he received a report from the panel of inquiry on the militia activities in the Sankera axis and pledged to commit to the appropriate authority and investigate the persons indicated in the report to ensure peace returned to Sankera.

Pope Leo XIV has since condemned the recent killings in Benue, describing the incident as a “terrible massacre” in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with “extreme cruelty”.

Delivering his remarks before the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Nigeria and the suffering of affected communities.

The Pope prayed for “security, justice, and peace” to prevail in the country and offered special intercession for the rural Christian communities in Benue, whom he described as “relentless victims of violence.”

The attack occurred in Yelwata, a border town between Benue and Nasarawa states, where suspected herdsmen reportedly stormed the community late Friday night.

Angry youths on Sunday stormed the Wurukum food basket roundabout to protest the killing. The protesters converged on the Wurukum food basket roundabout in Makurdi as early as 8 am to demand action over the alleged killing on Saturday in Yelwata.

They were later joined by a social media influencer, Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.


In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.

He said on the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.

The Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, is mourning the loss of her beloved sister, Lola Adefope née Ayantuga, who passed away recently.

Lola, born on 14 September 1962 in London, England, was the daughter of Senator Obafemi Ayantuga and his wife, Ajoke Ayantuga, an accountant.

With a career spanning over three decades in public service, Lola served as Secretary to the Local Government in Lagos State and later as Senior Special Assistant in Ogun State.

Known for her warmth, infectious laughter, and vibrant personality, she was described as the “life and soul of any gathering.”

In a heartfelt tribute, former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who expressed deep sorrow over her passing, recalled her dedication during his administration (2003–2011).

“I received the news of the passing of Lola Adefope with great sadness and pain.” Daniel said

“As Governor, she served as my Special Assistant on Governmental Affairs (Lagos Office), where she proved herself efficient and diligent”

“Her death is a stark reminder of life’s fleeting nature and a great personal loss to me and the nation she served passionately.”

Daniel further prayed for her soul to find eternal rest and for her grieving family to find strength.

A devoted wife and mother, Lola married architect Adebola Adefope in 1992, and their union was blessed with children.

Interment will hold on the 23rd of June, 2025, at Michael and all Angels Flower lane Mill Hill, London. It commences at 1pm. Celebration of life also follows immediately after at the Hendon Golf club, London.

A summit organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday for party stakeholders from Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone ended on a tense note in Gombe State.

Delegates from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states were in attendance, as key highlights included speeches by Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), who all praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, particularly commending him for supporting a northerner’s eight-year presidency.

The three governors collectively endorsed Tinubu for a second term, urging the north to return the favour in 2027.

However, tensions escalated shortly after APC North-East Vice Chairman, Mustapha Salihu, ended his speech by naming Tinubu as the sole candidate for the next election, without mentioning Vice President Kashim Shettima.

This apparent omission triggered protests from some members, who insisted that the vice president be included in the endorsement.


An attempt by Zulum to calm the situation did little to ease the rising tempers. The commotion intensified until security operatives intervened to restore order.

The party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, later addressed the crowd, separately praising both Tinubu and Shettima, which helped ease the tension.

On May 22, 2025, 22 APC governors unanimously adopted Tinubu as the APC candidate for the 2027 election. The governors also did not mention the vice president during the endorsement.

But Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, distanced himself from the endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in office.

He said he pitied Tinubu. According to him, former President Goodluck Jonathan secured the endorsement of 22 governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2015 poll, yet he lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).