In June 2025, a devastating massacre in Yelewata village, Benue State, Nigeria, claimed over 100 lives, with some reports estimating up to 200 deaths. The attack, targeting civilians including internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltered at a Catholic mission, is part of ongoing conflicts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where ethnic and religious tensions between herders and farmers fuel violence. Despite condemnations from Christian and Muslim leaders, a perception persists that religious leaders are silent or ineffective. This post examines their responses, the reasons behind this perception, and the challenges they face in resolving such conflicts.
The Benue Massacre: A Tragic Snapshot
On June 13-14, 2025, gunmen attacked Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, killing at least 100 people, injuring dozens, and leaving many missing. Reuters reported that families were locked in their homes and burned, highlighting the brutality. The attack, attributed to militia of Fulani ethnicity by CSW, fits a pattern of violence in Benue, where 1,043 deaths were recorded between May 2023 and May 2025, according to BBC News.
Religious Leaders’ Responses
Contrary to the perception of silence, several religious leaders condemned the massacre. Pope Leo XIV, in his Sunday Angelus, described it as a “terrible massacre” and prayed for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria, as reported by Vatican News. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) denounced the killings as a “moral and constitutional failure,” per ACI Africa. Locally, Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Makurdi called the attacks “genocide,” criticizing government inaction, as noted in The Tablet.
Muslim leaders also spoke out. The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, condemned the killings as “inhumane, ungodly, and a betrayal of our common values,” questioning why security agencies fail to prevent such attacks, according to Guardian Nigeria. These statements indicate that both Christian and Muslim leaders have publicly addressed the tragedy.
The Role of Religious Leaders in Conflict Resolution
Religious leaders wield significant influence in Nigeria, where religion shapes social and political life. They can promote peace through:
- Interfaith Dialogue: Facilitating discussions between Christian and Muslim communities to reduce tensions.
- Advocacy: Using their platforms to condemn violence and push for government action.
- Mediation: Acting as neutral mediators in disputes, as seen in past efforts documented by ACCORD.
- Humanitarian Support: Providing aid to victims, as Catholic missions have done in Benue.
However, their effectiveness is limited by challenges like polarization, where some leaders are seen as aligned with specific ethnic or political groups, undermining their neutrality. Security risks also deter outspokenness, as noted in Scielo, which discusses how some leaders may prioritize personal interests or safety.
Challenges and Limitations
The persistence of violence despite leaders’ statements highlights systemic issues:
- Deep-Rooted Conflicts: Ethnic and land disputes, exacerbated by resource scarcity, require more than religious interventions.
- Government Inaction: Leaders’ calls for security reforms often go unheeded, as criticized by the Sultan of Sokoto.
- Resource Constraints: Religious organizations may lack funds for large-scale peacebuilding, per Mercy Corps.
References
- What is Behind the Wave of Killings in Central Nigeria?
- Pope Prays for Victims of ‘Terrible Massacre’ in Benue State
- Christians Face ‘Genocide’ in Nigeria, Says Bishop
- Sultan of Sokoto Expresses Concern Over Benue Attacks
- Religious Violence in Nigeria
- Gunmen Kill at Least 100 in Nigeria’s Benue State
- Hundreds Confirmed Dead in Benue Militia Attack
- Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops Denounce Benue Killings
- Mercy Corps Report on Peacebuilding
- Religious Violence in Contemporary Nigeria