Massacre in Benue State
In the early hours of June 13, 2025, over 200 Christians were brutally slaughtered by armed Fulani jihadists in Yelwata, a farming community in Benue State, Nigeria. This attack is part of an alarming trend of escalating violence against Christian communities in the region. Eyewitness accounts reveal a coordinated assault that has left families shattered and communities devastated.
Pattern of Attacks Against Christians
Yelwata, a stronghold for Christians, has become the latest victim in a series of targeted assaults. Just weeks prior, communities in Aondoana, Edikwu-Ankpali, and Akundu-Tyough faced similar horrors. According to reports, these attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign to drive Christians from their ancestral lands. The chilling reality is that these communities, often composed of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), believed they had found refuge.
SUNDAY 22TH JUNE 2025 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd - Issuu
Eyewitness Testimonies Reveal Terror
Witnesses describe a scene of chaos and fear as gunmen invaded the village, shouting “Allahu Akbar” while they executed indiscriminate killings. Mton Matthias, a local youth leader, recounted the harrowing experience of the attack. “They surrounded Yelwata and began slaughtering people—mostly women, children, and families who thought they had found safety here,” he said. As bodies continue to be discovered, the death toll is expected to rise significantly.
Public Health Crisis Looms
The consequences of this violence extend beyond the immediate loss of life. Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula of the Justice, Peace and Development Foundation warns of an impending public health disaster. Food supplies have been depleted, and survivors are too terrified to access contaminated water sources. “Children are vomiting and suffering from severe diarrhea,” a local resident reported, highlighting the dire conditions that now plague Yelwata.
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Ethnic Cleansing and International Indifference
This violence is not merely random but reflects a calculated campaign of ethnic cleansing, as outlined by local leaders. Fr. Ihyula asserts that Fulani militias aim to permanently displace Christians from their land. Despite the overwhelming evidence of coordinated attacks, there remains a troubling silence from authorities. “Successive governors in Nasarawa State have failed to protect their citizens, allowing this violence to continue unchecked,” he stated.
Calls for Action from the International Community
The scale of this tragedy has evoked strong reactions from advocates for religious freedom in the United States. Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach, a Catholic religious freedom advocate, has urged the Trump administration to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). “The military was aware of this attack and did nothing,” she emphasized, calling for immediate action from Congress to support H.R. 220, which seeks to address the ongoing crisis facing Christians in Nigeria.
Nigeria holds mass burial for 73 people killed in communal ...
Conservative Values Under Threat
This situation in Nigeria is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in the defense of religious liberty and human rights. The ongoing persecution of Christians is not just a distant issue; it reflects a broader cultural battle that we must confront. As traditional values are undermined globally, the plight of Christians in Nigeria serves as a call to action for those who hold faith and family dear. The world cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that the voices of the persecuted are heard.
