THE MAYHEN IN YELWATA AND THE POPE’S COMMENTS.

 



 On the night of June 13-14, 2025, a devastating attack occurred in Yelwata, a predominantly Christian farming community in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. Suspected Fulani militants, described by some sources as heavily armed jihadists, killed at least 100 to 200 people, mostly internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltered by a local Catholic mission. The assailants stormed the village, set homes ablaze, and used guns and machetes, with reports of families burned alive and bodies left scattered. The attack displaced thousands, destroyed homes and crops, and raised fears of a cholera outbreak due to contaminated water sources. Amnesty International and local leaders condemned the violence, noting its impact on food security and the failure of Nigerian authorities to curb the recurring bloodshed.

Pope Leo XIV, addressing the massacre during his Sunday Angelus prayer on June 15, 2025, called it a “terrible massacre” and prayed for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria, particularly for the rural Christian communities of Benue State, which face relentless violence. He highlighted the cruelty of the attack and the vulnerability of the victims, many of whom were IDPs.


The violence is part of a broader pattern in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where conflicts between Fulani herders and Christian farmers, often over land and resources, have escalated. Some sources frame the attacks as religiously motivated, citing jihadist ideologies, while others emphasize ethnic and economic dimensions, like disputes over grazing routes. The Nigerian government has been criticized for its inaction, with President Bola Tinubu urging Governor Hyacinth Alia to foster dialogue and avoid inflammatory rhetoric. Alia, a Catholic priest, promised enhanced security, but residents and groups like Benue Concern Youths expressed frustration over delayed responses and perceived government failure.


There's a lot of outrage, with people noting the Pope’s condemnation while criticizing the silence of Nigerian leaders, including Tinubu. Some made posts claiming the attacks are genocidal, targeting Christians, and question the government’s priorities. However, these claims should be treated as inconclusive without further verification. The situation remains volatile, with calls for stronger security measures and justice growing louder.

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