Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, has strongly condemned the recent massacre in Benue State, describing the killings as “heartbreaking” and “unacceptable.”
In a statement released after the deadly June 13th attack on Yelewata village in Guma LGA, which reportedly claimed over 100 lives, Adefarasin lamented the loss of innocent Nigerians and called for immediate national introspection and justice.
“Families were locked in their homes and burnt alive. Children woke up to silence. Mothers are still searching for sons… At least 100 Nigerians were killed. Dozens are missing. Many are suffering without medical care,” he wrote.
He warned that a nation that normalizes such atrocities risks collapse, urging both leaders and citizens to confront the crisis decisively.
“To our leaders and custodians, this is not the time to look away. When one part of our nation bleeds, the whole must feel it. Enough is enough.”
The massacre — reportedly carried out by suspected herdsmen — has drawn widespread outrage, including condemnation from Pope Leo XIV, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and President Bola Tinubu, who directed security agencies to apprehend the attackers.
While state authorities claim 45 people were killed, local sources insist the death toll exceeds 100, with many victims burned beyond recognition.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has ordered an investigation, and the Inspector-General of Police has deployed tactical squads to track the perpetrators.
Benue, Nigeria’s “food basket,” remains a hotspot for violent farmer-herder clashes, fueling a decade-long cycle of bloodshed and displacement.
