A brutal massacre of over 200 Christians in Benue State, Nigeria, has shocked the world as Fulani militants callously targeted a camp for internally displaced persons.
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Shouting “Allahu Akbar,” these attackers unleashed terror on innocent victims in their sleep, turning a place of refuge into a scene of horror.
This horrifying event underscores growing religious persecution in Nigeria that demands urgent international attention.
Over 200 Christians were killed in a brutal attack by Islamist Fulani militants in Yelewata, Benue State, Nigeria, on June 13, 2025.
These attackers, shouting “Allahu Akhbar,” stormed the internally displaced persons camp housing Christians, with machetes in hand, while also setting buildings aflame.
This massacre is described as the worst atrocity in the region to date, clearly marked by religious motivation.
Father Ukuma Jonathan Angbianbee, a local priest, narrowly escaped the assault, bearing witness to the horror that transpired.
“What I saw was truly gruesome. People were slaughtered. Corpses were scattered everywhere,” he recounted, painting a grim picture of the violence that unfolded that night.
Initially, reports counted 100 deaths, but assessments later confirmed a staggering toll of 200 lives lost.
“Militants stormed in, shouting ‘Allahu Akhbar’ (‘God is great’), before killing people at will,” said Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), cited by The Catholic News Agency.
The international community has reacted with outrage. Pope Leo XIV condemned the attack, highlighting the victims as internal refugees and calling for security, peace, and justice.
Such calls come against the backdrop of several attacks on Christians in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria.
Previous atrocities by Fulani herdsmen during Lent and Holy Week already claimed over 170 Christian lives, further amplifying the urgency for a solution.
Further reports revealed that militants initially targeted St. Joseph’s Church before law enforcement repelled them, leading to their deadly rampage at the market square.
Criticism is now directed at Nigerian law enforcement for their delayed response, raising questions about government inaction amidst ongoing religious tensions.
The Diocese of Makurdi Foundation for Justice, Development, and Peace has corroborated the death toll, emphasizing the attack as a historic tragedy for the region.
This massacre starkly highlights the challenges faced by Christian communities in Nigeria as religious persecution escalates.
There is growing concern that such attacks aim to force Christians out of the region.
Nearly 10,000 Nigerian Christians have fallen victim to Islamic extremists from November 2022 to November 2024.
The call for global action is urgent; this crisis cannot be overlooked as these communities continue to endure unimaginable suffering in their homeland.
Heartbreaking massacre of over 100 Christians in Benue State #Nigeria.@amnesty is right to call on Nigerian Government to intervene but fails to mention religious nature of killings. US must designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) again for tolerating… pic.twitter.com/uhJ7jMplHv
— Nadine Maenza (@nadinemaenza) June 15, 2025
“Some 200 people were murdered, with extraordinary cruelty,” said Pope Leo XIV.
Additionally, Christian leaders express deep fears of a plan to eliminate their presence.
The violence underscores the persecution faced across Nigeria, calling for a strong response from both the Nigerian government and international community.
