EU Decries Killing of 6,900 in Benue, Extends €1.5m Aid to Yelewata Victims

The European Union has condemned the escalating violence in Benue State, Nigeria, which has claimed 6,900 lives and displaced over 400,000 people between 2024 and 2025. In response to the humanitarian crisis, the EU has allocated €1.5 million to provide assistance to internally displaced persons, including victims of the recent Yelewata killings.

The EU funding will support a six-month partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide protection, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, as well as multi-purpose cash assistance to affected populations. The aid package aims to alleviate the suffering of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to armed violence.

According to the EU, the humanitarian crisis in Benue State has been ongoing since 2018, with over 1.5 million people displaced from their homes. The recent wave of attacks in June 2025 alone forced almost 23,000 people to flee, exacerbating the already critical situation.

The EU described conditions in the camps as “dire,” with a severe lack of shelter, inadequate access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and increased protection risks, particularly for women, children, and people with disabilities. The organization emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for a sustained humanitarian response.

The recent killings in Yelewata, which sparked national outrage, are part of the larger crisis that has plagued Benue State for years. The EU’s €1.5 million aid package is a critical step towards addressing the humanitarian needs of affected populations and providing relief to those affected by the violence.