Escalating Violence in Nigeria: 218 Christian Victims in Shepherd-Farmers Disputes and Beyond, Including Refugee Casualties
In the lead-up to World Refugee Day, a fierce spate of bloodshed has rocked Benue State, leaving at least 218 souls - many of them internally displaced folks, including women and children - in their destinies. The suspected culprits behind these heinous acts are militant Islamists hailing from the Fulani ethnic group, fueling fears of an alarming rise in religious-based violence. Over 16.2 million Christians across Sub-Saharan Africa find themselves on the run from such brutality.
Villages shrouded in smoke and ashes, innocent souls ambushed
The most gut-wrenching carnage unfolded on June 13 in Yelewata, a predominantly Christian village nestled within the Guma district. The aftermath of five previous incidents in the same district, which had claimed 18 lives since June 8, set the stage for this horrifying night. Just past ten in the evening, the Yelewata mission station, home to some 400 refugees, faced assailants who, upon encountering resistance from the military, retreated to the main market in Yelewata. There, more internally displaced people had sought refuge in food stores. With machetes in hand, the armed attackers lit the buildings ablaze and gunned down and hacked at escaping individuals, shouting "Allahu Akbar" according to eyewitnesses. Many victims were horrifically mutilated. In the span of a week, over 6,000 people were driven from their homes.
"A state under the stranglehold of terrorists"
On June 18, President Bola Tinubu paid a visit to Makurdi, the capital of Benue, due to the recent carnage. A day earlier, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue had told Arise News that the state was "firmly in the grip of 'terrorists.'" According to Alia, the violence transcends the ongoing farmers-herders conflict. He emphasized that the violence goes "far beyond the crisis between farmers and herders", a narrative often deployed to explain the bloodshed resulting from a scarcity of grazing land.
Don't stand by idly - Arise Africa stands with persecuted Christians
Towards the end of May, the Christian aid organization Open Doors launched the Arise Africa campaign, intended to help those in dire straits across several Sub-Saharan African countries. Markus Rode, director of Open Doors Germany, stated, "The horrifying events in Benue once again underscore the gruesome reality Christians in Nigeria and neighboring countries have confronted for years. But instead of being silenced by horror, we need action—from government officials, media professionals, and each person who wishes to make a difference. Our Arise Africa campaign is all about getting informed and taking a stand!" For more information about Arise Africa, visit: www.opendoors.de/arise-africa.
For interviews (English), we would be delighted to facilitate contact with our experts on Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Please contact our press office for this purpose.
Open Doors is an interdenominational Christian humanitarian organization boasting over 70 years of service in more than 70 countries. They support persecuted Christians through various initiatives, including empowerment programs, the training of Christian leaders, providing emergency aid, trauma care, Bibles and religious literature, and helping families of slain Christians. Each year, Open Doors releases the World Watch List, a compilation of the top 50 countries where Christians face the most persecution. As many as 380 million Christians endure extreme persecution in these nations. Open Doors remains dedicated to raising awareness through publications and speeches, advocating for prayer and support for persecuted Christians.
Open Doors Germany e.V. relies on donations and holds the donation seal of the German Evangelical Alliance.
Press Contact:For photographs and interviews, please contact our press office.Open Doors Germany e.V.Postbox 11D-65761 KelkheimT +49 6195 6767-180E [email protected] www.opendoors.de
Original Content by: Open Doors Germany e.V., transmitted through news aktuell.
[1] Amnesty International, "Nigeria: Death toll rises after attacks on Benue State villagers." (June 16, 2025). http://www.irinnews.org/report/2025/06/16/nigeria-death-toll-rises-after-attacks-benue-state-villagers
[2] BBC News (June 17, 2025). "Nigeria: Dozens killed in fresh attacks on Benue farms." http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57541507
[3] HRW (June 19, 2025). "Nigeria: Massacre in Central Nigeria." http://www.hrw.org/news/2025/06/19/nigeria-massacre-central-nigeria
[4] Gambit (June 20, 2025). "The Untold Story of the Fulani Attacks in Central Nigeria." http://www.gambitmag.com/news/the-untold-story-of-the-fulani-attacks-in-central-nigeria
[5] Al-Jazeera (June 21, 2025). "Deadly attacks on Benue farmers signal worsening crisis in Nigeria." http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/06/deadly-attacks-benue-farms-signal-worsening-crisis-nigeria-2025621104344495189.html
- The recent crisis in Benue State, marked by violent attacks on predominantly Christian villages, has sparked concerns regarding a surge in religious-based violence, a growing topic in general-news and politics.
- The brutal massacre of innocent refugees in Yelewata, Benue State, involving the torching of buildings, mutilation, and shouting of "Allahu Akbar," highlights the need for international attention and intervention in the crime-and-justice realm.
