The Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation has condemned the gruesome killings in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing it as an act of targeted genocide which borders on ethnic cleansing. The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, President and CEO of The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, made the statement while leading a humanitarian intervention delegation to the community on Saturday June 21st, 2025, donating relief materials and comforting displaced persons in their large numbers.
The Foundation’s intervention comes in the wake of a horrific attack that has left at least 218 people dead, according to eyewitnesses and local leaders. Added to this sad reality, some of the injured are also dying. One of wounded who was shot during the attack was buried yesterday with the Para-Mallam Peace delegation present. The violence, reportedly carried out by assailants suspected to be Armed Fulani herdsmen, unfolded in the dead of night, with coordinated arson and brutal killings that claimed entire families.
The Revd Dr. Para-Mallam, visibly shaken during a visit to the Market Square — the epicenter of the attack — described the scene as a “parade ground of death.” He narrated accounts from survivors, including the story of a young child whose head was hacked with a machete after being dragged from a burning building.
“It’s a massacre,” he said. “Silent killings, done through fire and machetes, right under the nose of security operatives especially a military outpost, who reportedly did nothing. What kind of country allows such evil to thrive?”
While addressing mourners during the burial of a young man who succumbed to injuries from the attack, Dr. Para-Mallam reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to advocacy and peacebuilding.
“We will not be silent. We will demand accountability. Forgiveness is not weakness — it is strength — but justice must be served.”
The Foundation donated 50 bags of 50kg rice, five (5) huge bags of beans, several clothing items, and a cash gift of N1 million to support the affected families. However, Dr. Para-Mallam stressed that relief alone is not enough.
“These killings must stop. He commended the Nigerian President for physically visiting Benue State and urged Mr . President to visit similar places like Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, Maiduguri and hold similar town Hall meetings to hear direct testimonies from the survivors. Perhaps Mr. President will approach this security challenge different in order to secure faster results judging from his resolve in Benue. No more excuses from the military, no more silence from the DSS. It’s time for real leadership.”
Survivors narrated chilling accounts of the night of the attack. Many residents, already fearing for their safety, had taken to sleeping in their market shops for protection. Tragically, these same structures became traps — set ablaze by the attackers. Those who tried to flee were cut down by machete-wielding assailants waiting outside.
Matthew Ochuwe recounted losing his wife and daughter, along with a warehouse filled with grains. Another resident, Mr Dunba, tearfully described losing his two wives, two brothers one a recent graduate of Pharmacy from the University of Jos waiting to go for his NYSC, another survivor lost their wives, a child — and N3.5 million in cash — all burnt to ashes.
Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, also condemned the violence and called for urgent government action.
“If the government wants to stop this carnage, it can. They did this in ending worst situations in Librria and Sierra Leone. Why not in our home country Nigeria? What we see is unacceptable — our farmers have now become beggars in their own land. This is genocide,” he declared.
Hon. Uche Terwase Peter, Member representing Guma 1 Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, speaking on behalf of the community who were present in their large numbers, expressed gratitude to The Para-Mallam Peace Foundation while lamenting the consistent failure of security agencies. He said, “I used to read about the good humanitarian work done by missionaries in books. Today, I am seeing a real one before my eyes. This is a real missionary who combined a heart for peace work and humanitarian support. People here have lost loved ones but the encouragement of The Revd Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam brought joy to their hearts, smiles on the faces and hope in their hearts. You could see it so visible. I am overjoyed.”
What happened was avertable, why? He continued, “There were warnings. Yet the attackers came, killed, and left. This is barbaric. The government must wake up,” he stated.
Hon. Odaudu Joseph, a former Senior Special Adviser during the last State Government of Dr. Samuel Ortom, described the crisis as an “existential threat,” accusing armed groups of attempting to displace locals and occupy their lands. He urged the federal government to rise to its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
Titus Terfa Abbah, a youth leader in Yelwata, said the community has been under siege for years, with attacks now escalating in scale and brutality.
“They are not spirits. We know where these attackers come from. The military must act. We are not asking for luxury. We just want peace and access to our farms,” he pleaded.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue on June 18th, following public outcry over what has been described as one of the worst massacres in the nation’s history. He assured the victims’ families that justice would be pursued and instructed security agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
The visit by the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Foundation included key leaders of CAN in Benue State including Asst Secretary, Apostle General Mike Nkire, Barr Thomas Awotu and others who represented Rev Jonathan T Ugbede, Deputy Chairman, Rev Benjamin Dooga, Treasurer.
Despite these assurances, local leaders and residents insist that actions — not words — are needed now more than ever.
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