Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers for the people of Benue State following recent tragic killings in the region.
On June 14, over 100 individuals were reportedly killed in attacks by suspected herdsmen in Yelewata and Daudu communities of Guma Local Government Area (LGA).
This incident occurred less than 48 hours after 25 people lost their lives in attacks on Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa communities in Makurdi LGA.
Reports reveal that many of the victims, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and farmers, were brutally killed, with some burned alive in makeshift shelters.
Speaking just before delivering the Sunday Angelus prayer, the pope prayed for Nigeria, adding that he was particularly thinking of the “rural Christian communities of the Benue State who have been relentless victims of violence”.
“I pray that security, justice and peace will prevail in Nigeria, a beloved country so affected by various forms of violence. I pray in a special way for the rural communities in Benue state who have been unceasingly the victims of violence,” he said.
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the federal capital territory (FCT) has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action against the attacks in Benue.
