Violent Attack on Christians in Nigeria’s Elewata Village
In a tragic incident on Friday night, Jihadi gunmen killed at least 100 Christians in Elewata village located in central Nigeria. The attack has drawn global attention, notably from Amnesty International, which highlighted this violence in a post on social media, accusing Nigerian authorities of failing to prevent such atrocities and warning that further lives could be at risk without immediate action.
An AI Nigeria representative expressed deep concerns, stating that many individuals are still unaccounted for, with numerous injuries reported and inadequate medical care available. Some families were reportedly trapped and burned in their homes, leaving many bodies unrecognizable.
The group also warned that the violence has forced significant evacuations, raising concerns about food security as farmers are displaced from their land.
AI Nigeria has called for an urgent end to the ongoing violence in Benue State and demanded justice for the actual offenders. The attacks, which lasted for around two hours, resulted in the destruction of many homes, with local police engaging in firefights with the assailants.
Official estimates from the governor’s office cited around 45 fatalities from the attack. However, local residents suggested that the true death toll is likely more than twice that number.
U.S. Representative Rob Aderholt described the reports from Benue as “absolutely scary.” Eyewitnesses indicated that the attackers shouted “Alahu Akbar” during the assault, and Aderholt urged the world not to ignore the violence facing Christians in the region.
International media coverage has been criticized for failing to clearly identify the victims and perpetrators, often referring to victims simply as “peasants” or “villagers,” while labeling the attackers vaguely as “gunmen” or “herdsmen.” For instance, a BBC report used the term “a herd of armed cows,” which detracts from the seriousness of the situation.
The attackers are primarily members of the Fulani tribe, a Muslim group that has been targeting Nigerian Christians for years. There appears to be little interest from the Nigerian government in halting these violent acts, which include murders and kidnappings. Recently, Catholic priests have been calling for international help to protect their communities from jihadists.
After a previous attack, Fr. Moses Iorapoo, communications director for Makurdi Parish, criticized the military’s inaction, noting they had checkpoints but seemed ineffective. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi had previously testified before a U.S. committee about the jihadi violence in Benue, branding the Fulani herdsmen as agents of a campaign to spread Islam.
He described the daily reality for Christians in Nigeria as one of constant fear and oppression, a sentiment echoed by those from Elewata.
Pope Leo XIV extended his prayers to the victims of the massacre, condemning it as an “act of extreme atrocities.” He noted that many victims were refugees fleeing previous violence, seeking safety at the Catholic mission in Elewata.
On Sunday, protests erupted in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, against the attack. While police described the protests as peaceful, they responded with tear gas, leading to frustration among demonstrators who felt they were being suppressed while trying to voice their grief over the murders.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the “wanton murder in Benue,” urging an end to the violence. He announced orders for security agencies to take decisive action against the perpetrators and emphasized the importance of responsible communication from community leaders to prevent further tension.
Tinubu also tasked state leaders to quickly establish a panel to investigate the attackers and support victims, announcing that federal security teams would be deployed to vulnerable areas.
A group representing the Idomas in Benue condemned the attacks, labeling them as ethnic cleansing and a crime against humanity. They criticized the federal government’s inaction, asserting that continued silence emboldens jihadists and poses a threat to other communities in the region.
They concluded by stressing that it is unacceptable to continue mourning their losses while authorities issue hollow statements instead of taking urgent action.
