A year on from the Yelewata tragedy, locals pay tribute to 271 lives lost and call for accountability

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Unveiled cenotaph engraved with the names of the 271 victims of the June 13, 2025 Yelewata attack

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By Peter Duru

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One year after 271 residents were brutally killed in the Yelewata massacre, survivors, families of the victims, religious leaders and political figures on Saturday gathered in the community to honour the dead and renew calls for justice and improved security.

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The event, held at Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, featured a memorial Mass and the unveiling of a cenotaph engraved with the names of the 271 victims who lost their lives during the June 13-14, 2025 attack.

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Leading the commemoration, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, described the anniversary as a painful reminder of one of the darkest moments in the history of the community.

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

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“We are back today, exactly one year later, to pray for the repose of the souls of the 271 innocent people who were murdered here in Yelewata. We cannot forget them because they were our fathers, mothers, children, brothers and sisters,” he added.

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The cleric said the memorial was not only to honour the victims but also to remind society of the need to protect human life and ensure accountability.

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According to him, the attack could have been prevented if security agencies had acted on intelligence reports warning of the impending assault.

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“There were warnings before the attack, yet nothing was done. For several hours, the attackers operated unhindered and 271 innocent people lost their lives. We owe the victims justice,” he stated.

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A native of Yelewata and international human rights advocate, Barr. Frank Utoo, who facilitated the construction of the memorial wall through the support of the United States-based organisation, Equipping The Persecuted (ETP), said the monument was designed to preserve the memory of the victims forever.

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He said, “Within a four-hour period, 271 people were killed in this community. Among them were children, women and men whose only crime was being in their homes that night

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“These are not statistics. These are human beings whose lives mattered. That is why their names have been engraved on this monument, so they will never be forgotten.” He noted that the memorial serves as a symbol of remembrance, justice and hope for families still grieving their loved ones.

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“When I told my organization here in the United States, Equipping The Persecuted, (ETP), the most prominent American nonprofit 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.

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Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, described the anniversary as a sad reminder of government’s failure to adequately protect citizens.

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“Today is a very painful day for the people of Yelewata and for Benue State. The loss of 271 innocent lives is a tragedy that should never have happened. It reminds us that government must do more to safeguard the lives and property of the people,” he said

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The lawmaker praised efforts to immortalise the victims through the memorial monument and expressed hope that such a tragedy would never occur again.

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Also speaking, PDP governorship candidate Chief Mike Aondoakaa described the massacre as a grave crime against humanity and called for decisive measures to strengthen security across the state.

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“This was a horrific attack in which 271 innocent people were killed. Government must ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice,” he said.

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He advocated stronger intelligence gathering, improved funding for security agencies and enhanced collaboration between Benue and neighbouring states to tackle insecurity.

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PDP Benue North-West Senatorial candidate, Dr. Eunice Ortom, said the deaths of women, children and breadwinners had left wounds that remain unhealed.

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“The loss suffered by this community is immeasurable. Families are still grieving and children are still growing up without parents,” she said.

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