Benue Attacks: American Visitor Recovers Skeletal Remains in Yelwata Community

An American citizen, Mr. Alex Barbir, has visited Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where skeletal remains believed to belong to victims of past violent attacks were reportedly recovered, rekindling grief and calls for justice among residents.

The visit is connected to the deadly assault on Yelwata between June 13 and June 14, 2025, when armed attackers invaded the agrarian community, killing scores of residents and forcing many others to flee their homes. The attack, one of the deadliest in the area in recent years, left deep physical and emotional scars that residents say are yet to heal.

Eyewitnesses told journalists that although security agencies and local authorities had previously cleared the affected areas after the attack, human bones were still scattered across parts of the community. According to them, skeletal remains, including those suspected to belong to children, could still be seen on the ground and picked up easily, underscoring the scale and brutality of the violence.

Residents described Mr. Barbir’s visit as painful but significant, saying it reopened traumatic memories of the massacre while also drawing attention to the lingering aftermath of the attack.

Many noted that the continued presence of human remains symbolises unresolved loss and the absence of proper closure for families who lost loved ones during the violence.

“The sight is heartbreaking,” a community member said. “It reminds us that many of our people were killed here, and till today, their remains are still lying on the land.”

Some residents drew spiritual comparisons, likening the scene to the biblical Valley of Dry Bones described in the Book of Ezekiel. They said the imagery reflects both the devastation suffered by the community and a hope that restoration, healing, and renewed life could still emerge from the tragedy.

Others expressed cautious optimism that the involvement and concern of foreign individuals could help attract wider international attention to the persistent insecurity in Benue State.

They argued that global awareness and advocacy might pressure authorities to take more decisive steps to protect vulnerable rural communities.

Community leaders and residents called on the federal and state governments to intensify security operations in the area and ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. They also appealed for humanitarian support, including psychosocial services, to help survivors cope with trauma and rebuild their lives.

They further urged relevant agencies and civil society organisations to ensure the dignified recovery and burial of the skeletal remains, stressing that such actions are necessary for healing and reconciliation.

As Yelwata continues to grapple with the long shadow of violence, residents insist that peace, accountability, and sustained security presence remain critical to preventing a recurrence of such deadly attacks.