Pope Leo XIV, in his Sunday Angelus address on 15 June, 2025, passionately condemned the brutal massacre of nearly 200 people in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing it as a “terrible massacre” that targeted vulnerable, mostly internally displaced persons hosted by a local Catholic mission.
The attack, which occurred on the night of 13-14 June, 2025 has drawn global attention, with the Pope urging prayers for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria, particularly for the rural Christian communities in Benue, who have faced relentless violence.
The pontiff’s swift response has starkly contrasted with the silence from President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, prompting widespread criticism. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been flooded with posts expressing frustration over the government’s inaction. Users noted that while Pope Leo, from thousands of miles away in Rome, offered condolences and prayers, Tinubu, based in Abuja, has yet to address the tragedy. Some compared his silence to his prompt condolences for a plane crash in India, highlighting perceived indifference to domestic crises.
Amnesty International Nigeria has called for urgent action to end the “almost daily bloodshed” in Benue and bring perpetrators to justice. Catholic priests in the Makurdi Diocese, where 15 parishes have shut down due to attacks by armed herdsmen, have accused the Nigerian Army of failing to intervene, even near military checkpoints.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue has urged Tinubu to deploy more security forces to curb the violence, criticising the state government’s lack of strategy.
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