BY NONYELUM JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has condemned the recent killings of over 200 people in Yelewata, Guma local government area of Benue State, warning that the systematic killings and displacement of residents in the region posed a direct threat to Nigeria’s food security.
The Christian body cautioned against oversimplify the conflict as mere Farmer-Herder clashes, emphasizing that many of the recent victims were unarmed civilians, including women, children, and members of the clergy, some of whom were killed in their homes or while returning from local markets.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, and the Secretary-General, Bishop Mohammed Naga, CAN described the massacre as a horrific escalation in the ongoing wave of violence that has gripped the State.
“This senseless massacre, among the deadliest in recent memory, is a painful addition to the relentless cycle of bloodshed in the region. Benue is not just a State; it is a food basket. If we continue to lose farmers and destroy agricultural communities, the entire nation will suffer the consequences”.
“In just a few weeks, these coordinated attacks have led to the displacement of over 6,500 residents, left scores injured, and caused widespread destruction of homes, farms, and food storage facilities”.
The Christian body noted that while security agencies have made efforts to contain the violence, the frequency, precision, and brutality of these attacks indicate a more organized threat that requires immediate and strategic intervention.
“We call for a coordinated, intelligence-driven security approach backed by the political will to protect lives. The current security framework is clearly insufficient given the scale of devastation we are witnessing”.
According to them, the pattern and ferocity of these attacks suggest a larger and more sinister agenda that must not be ignored.
“Every Nigerian life matters, and we must not allow the normalization of bloodshed”.
The duo called on Humanitarian and Development Partners to provide immediate relief materials, food, shelter, medical care, and trauma support for displaced persons, especially vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly.
They also urged both Federal and State governments to initiate a compensation framework for victims, including the rebuilding of destroyed homes, restoration of farmlands, and replacement of lost food stocks.
ENDS
