In a horrifying escalation of violence, between 100 and 200 Christians were murdered by Fulani jihadist herdsmen in Nigeria’s Benue State, according to multiple sources.
Heavily armed jihadists stormed Yelwata – a farming community in Guma County – between Friday and Saturday. They set homes ablaze and slaughtered the predominantly Christian inhabitants.
Located less than five miles north of the state capital, Makurdi, Yelwata is a farming village that is 97 per cent Catholic and three per cent other denominations. It also hosts internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled earlier Fulani jihadist attacks in neighbouring towns.
According to Tersoo Kula, a spokesman for the state governor’s office, the attack on Yelwata lasted about two hours and saw several houses burned down. He added that government and police officials visiting the village confirmed a lower death toll of 45.
However, Amnesty International stated that at least 100 people were killed, while Truth Nigeria – a US-registered online media organisation that reports on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria – puts the death toll at over 200.
Fr Moses Aondover Iorapuu – vicar general pastoral, director of communications, and parish priest of Holy Ghost Parish in Makurdi – also claimed the higher number.
“The recent attack on Yelwata in Benue State, which left over 200 people killed or burnt beyond recognition, is a grim reminder of the daily struggles faced by many Benue citizens. This tragedy unfolded on 13 June 2025, a day after President Bola Tinubu renewed his commitment to transforming Nigeria and protecting the lives and properties of its citizens. The stark contrast between words and reality is jarring,” Fr. Iorapuu wrote in the <em>Catholic Star</em> newspaper.
The toll could yet rise.
“Many people are still missing, aside from dozens injured and left without adequate medical care. Many families were locked up and burnt inside their bedrooms. So many bodies were burnt beyond recognition,” said Amnesty International on X.
It stated that gunmen have been “on a killing spree with utter impunity”.
In comments to <em>Crux</em>, Fr. Iorapuu described the attack as “barbaric” and expressed disappointment at the inaction of the security forces.
“These attackers are animals and barbaric. Some of the victims were already displaced in previous attacks by these evil groups,” he said.
“The more disturbing part is that some military men were in the vicinity and even the police who stood between them and the mission house could only prevent them from gaining access to the mission house where a majority of displaced persons were housed,” the priest added.
Friday’s attack adds to the growing trend of assaults by Fulani jihadist herdsmen on Christian communities.
Last month, gunmen believed to be herders killed at least 20 people in the Gwer West area of Benue. In April, at least 40 people were killed in the neighbouring state of Plateau.
Fr. Iorapuu told <em>Crux</em> that every attack reshapes the Christian demographic in Nigeria.
He added that the Nigerian government, consistent with its past inaction, had once again failed to respond – even though there were warnings that attacks were likely to worsen after Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop of the Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State, testified before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The bishop reported on the “egregious” violations of human rights in Nigeria, describing it as “one of the most dangerous and insecure places for Christians.”
Tragically, his testimony incited further violence in his hometown, with jihadists even threatening his life.
“We expected the attacks to intensify following the testimony of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe in the US on the persecuted Church, but we believed that the warning from the US would make the government proactive; we got it wrong again,” Fr. Iorapuu told <em>Crux</em>.
“This time round, over 200 Christians were killed and burnt. These are human lives wasted; they are not figures to be counted,” he said.
Asserting “these are jihadists,” the priest noted that the attackers’ identity is known, citing the chairman of Guma local government area. The chairman stated on television that “these are Fulanis” and instructed that they no longer be called “suspected herdsmen or bandits”.
“The credible evidence of who they are is undeniable, so why is the government helpless in securing the safety of its citizens?” Fr. Iorapuu asked.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, director of the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety), suggested that the government’s inaction is deliberate.
“There is an agenda to Islamise Nigeria,” he told <em>Crux</em>.
That agenda, he said, became more pronounced during the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, who held Nigeria’s top office from 29 May 2015 to 29 May 2023. Umeagbalasi claimed Buhari – the son of a Fulani chief – not only provided the group with arms but also gave his Muslim allies key positions in government, relegating Christians to the background.
In addition, he said, the former president worked to “Islamise” the security agencies, noting that Buhari’s administration saw increased Fulani jihadist access to state armouries.
“We have a jihadist military,” he said.
Since 2000, around 62,000 Christian civilians have been killed in Nigeria due to jihadist violence. According to Open Doors, Nigeria was the most dangerous country for Christians in 2024, with 3,100 killed and 2,830 kidnapped.
