A UK-based faith organisation, Christian Solidarity Worldwide – Nigeria, has condemned the recent attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Area of Benue State, which occurred on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

The attack resulted in the deaths of no fewer than 100 people, with some estimates suggesting the casualty figure could be as high as 200.

The Chief Executive Officer of CSW-N, Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, stated that the majority of rural residents in Benue State are facing an existential threat from these armed herdsmen, who are deliberately eradicating generations of people.

Nmadu, while urging both state and federal governments to stop the attacks, stated that the majority of rural residents in Benue State are facing an existential threat from these armed herdsmen, who are deliberately eradicating generations of people.

“It’s unfortunate that Benue, once touted as the food basket of the nation, is grappling with hunger due to the inability of its people to till their farms,” Nmadu said.

CSW-N urged both state and federal governments to stop the attacks and take decisive action to halt the killings.

“I urged the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, move from mere rhetoric and perfunctory condemnation to a sincere, committed, and single-minded determination to halt the killings not only in Benue but in other states across the nation, which are bleeding from the menace of armed herdsmen,” Nmadu said.

The CSW-N boss while condemning the killings, described “recurring attacks as unnecessary and preventable,” if the government were to take decisive action against these killers.

The organisation, in a statement by its
Press and Research Officer, Reuben Buhari , in Kaduna on Monday, lamented that Benue State has been plagued by armed attacks for years, with no end in sight.

It said, “Christian Solidarity Worldwide – Nigeria has expressed deep concern regarding the attacks on Yelewata community in Guma Local Area of Benue State, which occurred on 14 June, 2025.

“This situation is particularly tragic as the victims are primarily internally displaced persons who had previously fled from communities such as Antsa, Dooka, and Kadarko, seeking refuge in various stalls around the Yelwata market.

“CSW-N is saddened to note that Benue State has been plagued by armed attacks for years, with no end in sight. A Daily Trust newspaper report from June 14, 2025, recorded that 270 people were killed by attackers between April 1 and June 1, 2025, across ten local governments in the state.

“Additionally, the Benue NGOs Network, through its coordinator Lazarus Mom, stated that 5,700 lives have been lost since 2011, resulting in more than 150,000 people displaced.

“CSW-N regards these recurring attacks as unnecessary and preventable if the government were to take decisive action against these killers. With impunity, these perpetrators have extended their violent activities from Nigeria’s middle belt states into other regions of the country.”