Bishops Announce 9 Days of Prayer Following On-Going Violence and Killing of 200 Christians in Benue, Nigeria, Africa

 200 people were killed in an attack by suspected radical Fulani militias in the southern community of Yelewata,  in Nigeria, Africa. 

Pope Leo XIV,  prayed at the public Angelus prayer, last Sunday, for the people killed in the Yelewata massacre.  He emphasized that most of them were internally displaced persons who "have found refuge in the local Catholic mission." He particularly prayed for the rural Christian communities in Benue State "who have been relentlessly subjected to violence. "

The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria released a statement; calling for prayer, due to the continued violence across the country,  especially in Benue State.  They are calling on all Nigerian Catholics and people of goodwill to observe a nine-day prayer vigil starting June 21st 2025, culminating in a special Mass on June 29th,  for peace,  healing,  and an end to the violence.  The Bishops also assure victims of their support,  having already provided emergency aid and have made solidarity visits to affected communities. 

 In an interview with the international Catholic aid organization Aid to the Church in Need,  the town's parish priest,  Father Ukuma Jonathan Angbianbee,  described the horrible massacre.  The attack occurred late Friday,  June 13th,  in the evening.  It is a dramatic culmination of a wave of attacks on predominantly Christian villages in the region that has been ongoing for several weeks and has so left over 100 people dead.  Thousands of people have fled because of the terror.  Many came to Yelewata because the town was considered relatively safe.  However,  after the current attack,  many have left the town. 

On the evening of the attack,  police were able to prevent a terrorist attack on Saint Joseph's Church in Yelewata,  where 700 people from surrounding communities had sought shelter.  The attackers then turned their attention to the temporary shelters in the community's marketplace,  where they reportedly set fire to the buildings using fuel as an accelerant and opened fire in an area where more than 500 people were sleeping. 

In an initial report by the Foundation for Justice,  Development and Peace in the diocese of Makurdi,   its staff recounted their impressions: "It was an unbelievable sight.  Some were burned beyond recognition" The parish priest added that some were so badly burned that their identification was difficult.  Over 90 percent of the people in the region are Catholic; Father Jonathan and other clergy criticized the response of the security forces.  The the priest explained; "The attack is by far the worst atrocity we have ever witnessed. "

Please Pray for persecuted Christians in Nigeria. 

FULL TEXT BISHOPS of NIGERIA:

A NATIONAL CALL FOR PRAYER AND SOLIDARITY
In the Wake of the Renewed Killings in Benue and
Other Parts of Nigeria
“If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Cor 12:26)
19 June 2025
To All Catholics in Nigeria, and All People of Goodwill
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
1. We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, once again lift our voices in sorrow as shepherds of God’s flock and guardians of our nation’s conscience. Following our recent statement of 6 June 2025, “CBCN Statement on Benue Killings and Mokwa Flood”, it is profoundly heartbreaking that, less than two weeks later, we are compelled to speak out again. The renewed wave of killings in Benue State and other parts of our country continues to wound our collective spirit. It is our fervent hope and prayer that we will not have to issue such sorrowful statements again.
2. We commend all individuals, communities, and organisations who continue to speak out against these heinous crimes. We are also grateful to our brother Bishops who have already called for prayers in response. In union with these efforts, we now call on all Catholics in Nigeria and all people of goodwill to observe a Nine-Day Prayer beginning from Saturday, 21 June 2025. Each day, we ask individuals, families, parishes, and communities to recite the Rosary, followed by the Prayer for Nigeria in Distress. On the final day, Sunday, 29 June 2025, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Holy Mass should be offered across all dioceses and parishes for peace and healing in Nigeria, the repose of the dead, the comfort of victims, divine protection, and for the conversion of those responsible for the barbaric massacre of unarmed fellow citizens, including women and children.
3. To our suffering brothers and sisters in Benue State and across Nigeria wounded by violence, we assure you that the Church stands with you. As a concrete sign of our support, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has already provided emergency assistance to some affected communities, and a CBCN delegation will soon pay them a solidarity visit. We ardently pray that the day will soon come when such sorrowful interventions will no longer be necessary, and our voices may instead rise in thanksgiving for a land healed and at peace.
May our Lady, Queen and Patroness of Nigeria intercede for our nation. May Christ, the Prince of Peace, heal our land. Amen.
Signed
+Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji 

Archbishop of Owerri 

President, CBCN

+Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun, OSA
Bishop of Uromi
 Secretary, CBCN