Association of Resident Doctors Condemn Killing of 200 in Yelwata

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has strongly condemned the gruesome killing of over 200 people in Yelwata, Benue State, warning that the persistent bloodshed in the state and other volatile regions is crippling the nation’s fragile health system and pushing Nigeria towards a full-blown humanitarian crisis.

In a statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, the association described the rising wave of violence across the country as “alarming and unacceptable”, stressing that it is impacting the ability of health workers to deliver care, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The association lamented that the mounting death toll and displacement from violent attacks have heightened the risk of disease outbreaks and worsened access to primary healthcare in affected communities, while also triggering burnout and mental health issues among medical personnel.

“The mounting death toll is a potential for humanitarian crises and epidemics, which will overwhelm the ability of health workers to cope. Unfortunately, it appears that the government lacks the necessary resources to protect life and property,” Dr. Osundara said.

The NARD President specifically mourned the death of a young pharmacist, Matthew Lormba, who was killed in the crisis, describing it as a reminder that healthcare workers have become an endangered species in parts of Nigeria.

“It is deeply concerning that doctors and health workers are increasingly unsafe. Several complaints have been lodged over growing insecurity, and anxiety among our members is affecting their willingness to serve in high-risk areas,” he stated.

The association warned that the violence is not only undermining universal health coverage but also threatening national food security, as the affected communities in Benue are central to the country’s agricultural output.

“We are witnessing a decline in food production, food shortages, and price hikes, all of which expose children to the risk of malnutrition,” the group said.

Beyond Benue, the NARD President also condemned recent killings and attacks in Katsina, Zamfara, and other troubled regions in the North Central and North East, saying the failure of the government to guarantee the safety of citizens is worsening Nigeria’s already grim humanitarian and security outlook.

He lamented that over 10,000 people have been killed across the country in the past two years, adding that the violence has increased displacement, left many children out of school, and destroyed livelihoods.

The association urged the government at all levels to urgently implement effective and sustainable security measures to stem the tide of violence.

“There must be an immediate STOP to the nationwide bloodshed to avert a looming disaster. The government must develop workable strategies to halt Nigeria’s worsening mortality figures driven by conflict and violence,” the statement read.

The Nigerian government has been under pressure to address the growing insecurity in the country, with many calling for a more effective and sustainable approach to tackling the root causes of the violence.

The NARD’s warning of a looming humanitarian crisis is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to protect the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.