Bishop demands justice on anniversary of Yelewata massacre

ON the first anniversary of one of the worst massacres in Nigeria a bishop has called for justice and the return of displaced families to their homes.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that those who slaughtered more than 250 Christians in Yelewata, Benue State, between 13th and 14th June 2025 must answer for their crimes.

He said: “The taking of human life remains a grave crime against God and humanity.”

Internally displaced families were sheltering in buildings in Yelewata market square, when militants stormed in and shot, macheted, and burned alive those attempting to flee.

The bishop was critical of the state’s response. He said: “Yelewata is situated approximately 50 km [c. 31 miles] between Makurdi and Lafia. 

“Security personnel deployed from either capital could have reached the area in time to respond to the crisis, even if they had travelled on bicycles.”

Bishop Anagbe added that families driven from their lands by violence should not be forced to remain indefinitely in IDP camps.

He added: “The displaced must return to their ancestral homes."

To date, no-one has been arrested in connection with the crime and the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) a peacekeeping force, is failing to capture insurgents said the bishop.

Bishop Anagbe added: “Some individuals continue to deny the existence of a genocide against Christians because they are protecting their personal interests and privileges.

“Those responsible for these atrocities must not be allowed to move freely without being brought to justice… If ECOMOG was able to restore peace in other nations, then the question remains - who are these elements terrorising our villages?”

Father Jonathan Ukuma, the local parish priest who also witnessed the massacre, remained with his community.

He told ACN: “God has not abandoned us. Faith overcomes any challenge,”

He said people had lost everything – their homes, their livelihoods, and numerous loved ones – adding: “People need support to regain their dignity and their hope.” 

Recalling the morning after the attack, he said: “We saw bodies burnt beyond recognition.”

The priest also acknowledged that one of the greatest challenges for Christians affected by violence was forgiveness – but said reconciliation was possible.

He added: “To be forgiven, we must also learn to forgive.”

On Saturday (13th June) hundreds of survivors, relatives of the victims, and members of the local Church attended a memorial service in Yelewata remembering victims of the deadly bloodshed a year earlier.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Crotty, sent a message to Saturday’s memorial, emphasising that despite persecution, “the Church will never relent in its mission of evangelisation”.