Yelewata Massacre: Tears, prayers as Benue community unveils memorial for 271 victims one year after

By Tolu Temidire

Emotions ran high on Saturday as residents of Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State gathered to commemorate the first anniversary of the June 2025 massacre that claimed the lives of 271 people, with religious leaders, politicians and human rights advocates demanding justice for the victims and greater protection for vulnerable communities.

The solemn event featured a memorial Mass, the dedication of a cenotaph bearing the names of the victims, and renewed calls for accountability over the attack that devastated the farming community.

Presiding over the service, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, described the massacre as a "systematic, organized and assisted" attack and insisted that the victims must never be forgotten.

"One year ago, we were mourning, scooping the corpses of our brothers and sisters who were massacred here between June 13 and 14. Many of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition," the Bishop said.

"We are back this year, exactly one year after, to celebrate this Mass of remembrance. Not for us to forget, but to pray for the repose of the souls of these innocent persons who were brutally murdered here in Yelewata."

The cleric lamented what he described as the failure of authorities to act on intelligence reports allegedly provided ahead of the attack.

"Thirty days before it happened, three weeks before, two weeks before, one week before and even two days before, the Federal Government was informed that it was going to happen, but they played deaf ears. That was why this tragedy could not be averted," he alleged.

Anagbe maintained that the killings amounted to genocide and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

"It is customary throughout the world to remember and honour victims of crisis and catastrophe. This memorial is a prayerful protest against genocide, persecution, violence and violations of human rights, especially the right to life," he said.

Monument of Memory and Hope

The memorial wall was facilitated by international human rights advocate and Yelewata native, Barrister Frank Utoo, in partnership with the United States-based non-profit organisation, Equipping The Persecuted (ETP).

Utoo said the monument was erected to preserve the memory of those killed and ensure that future generations never forget the tragedy.

"On June 13 last year, Islamist terrorists invaded my village of Yelewata and within four hours left 271 people dead," Utoo said.

"Among those killed were 67 children, 88 women and 122 adult men. These are not mere statistics; these are our relatives, our loved ones. We promised ourselves that they would never be forgotten."

According to him, the monumentbears the engraved names of all 271 victims.

"Each name tells a story. Each name is a reminder that though blood was spilled, such a tragedy must never be repeated. The Yelewata monument stands for truth, justice, hope and memory."

"In fact when I told my organization here in the United States, Equipping The Persecuted, (ETP), the most prominent American nonprofit organisation that is standing in the bridge for persecuted Christians in Nigeria about this, my Executive Director, Judd Saul,
graciously granted that request to put up a monument for our persecuted brethren in Yelewata," he said.

Government Failed Victims — Abba Moro

Also speaking, Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South, Dr. Abba Moro, described the anniversary as a painful reminder of government's inability to protect citizens.

"Today is a very sad reminder of our inability to protect the lives and property of our citizens," Moro said.

"As a government, we have failed in our responsibility and obligation to the people who entrusted us with leadership. This is a moment for sober reflection on where we have failed our people," he added.

The senator, however, expressed hope that the memorial would serve as a permanent reminder of the need to prioritise governance and security.

Calls for Justice and Security Reforms

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Chief Mike Aondoakaa, described the massacre as a war crime and called for stronger security measures to prevent a recurrence.

"This was not just a killing; it was genocide committed on the soil of Benue State," Aondoakaa said.

"The perpetrators ought to face war crimes charges because innocent and unarmed people were killed in their sleep."

He advocated improved intelligence gathering, increased funding for security agencies, stronger collaboration with neighbouring states and strict enforcement of Benue's anti-open grazing law.

Aondoakaa also stressed the need to return displaced persons to their ancestral homes saying "The durable solution is to ensure that those displaced can safely return home and rebuild their lives."

'Nine Desks Are Empty'

In an emotional reflection on the human cost of the tragedy, PDP Benue North-West Senatorial candidate, Dr. Eunice Ortom, recalled seeing schoolchildren carrying placards bearing the message: "Nine desks are empty."

"The loss suffered by this community is irreparable," she said.

"We lost children, women and men who contributed to society. It is a wake-up call for government to move beyond rhetoric and fulfil its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property."

According to her, the massacre remains a painful scar not only for Yelewata but for the entire Benue State.

A Community Determined Not to Forget

Throughout the ceremony, survivors, bereaved families and community members prayed for the departed and called for lasting peace.

As the congregation moved to bless the memorial wall, many stood silently before the engraved names of fathers, mothers and children whose lives were cut short in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in Benue State in recent years.

For the people of Yelewata, the monument now stands as both a memorial to the dead and a symbol of their enduring demand for justice, accountability and security.