The Yelewata massacre in the Nigerian state of Benue, which claimed the lives of over 250 people, continues to be remembered one year later as the local community and Church leaders renew their calls for justice. Hundreds of survivors and victims’ relatives gathered on Saturday, 13 June, to honour those lost in one of the deadliest attacks against Christian communities in the region in recent years.
The impact of the Yelewata massacre on faith and resilience
The memorial Mass served as an act of prayer and remembrance, featuring a message of solidarity from the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, who reaffirmed that the Church’s evangelising mission will endure despite ongoing persecution and suffering. The Bishop of Makurdi, Right Reverend Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, insisted that the killing of innocent people constitutes «a serious crime against God and against humanity» and demanded that the perpetrators be held accountable.
The bishop lamented the lack of effective response from authorities to protect vulnerable populations, noting that Yelewata is located only a short distance from major urban centres.
Testimonies of a terrible night
Father Jonathan Ukuma, the local parish priest and a direct witness to the tragedy, described the panic during the «terrible night» when armed men assaulted the community for over three hours. Many villagers sought refuge in the church, which had already become a sanctuary for those who had fled violence elsewhere. At dawn, the priest encountered a devastating scene:
«We saw unrecognisable bodies, burnt beyond all identification. In total, 259 people died in the attack».
Despite the trauma, Father Jonathan decided to remain with his community to accompany the survivors. For him, faith remains the cornerstone of their survival:
«God has not abandoned us. Faith overcomes any challenge. To be forgiven, we must also learn to forgive».
