Pope Leo XIV expresses deep concern over killings in Benue

Pope Leo XIV has condemned the recent killings in Benue State, describing the incident as a “terrible massacre” in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with “extreme cruelty”.

In his remarks before the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the Pope expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Nigeria and the suffering of affected communities.

The Pope prayed for “security, justice, and peace” to prevail in the country and offered special intercession for the rural Christian communities in Benue, whom he described as “relentless victims of violence.”

The attack occurred in Yelwata, a border town between Benue and Nasarawa states, where suspected herdsmen reportedly stormed the community late Friday night.

The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Maurice Orwough, stated that dozens had been killed and over 26 others hospitalised.

Meanwhile, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, also condemned the killings.

In a statement on X, he said, “I am deeply anguished and shocked by the devastating news of the fresh attacks in Benue State, where over 100 innocent lives are feared lost. These killings, once again targeting defenceless communities, underscore the escalating insecurity crisis facing our nation.”

The massacre has triggered protests in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. On Sunday, angry youths converged at the Wurukum food basket roundabout, demanding justice and condemning what they described as silence from both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia.

One of the protesters, Solomon Amande, told journalists, “Women, children, the elderly – our people are being slaughtered, and there’s no word from the president or our own governor.”

Activist Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), also joined the demonstrators.