Founder and Senior Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has strongly condemned the horrific massacre that occurred in Yelewata village, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing the killings as a “devastating tragedy” and a deep moral failure for the nation.
On the night of June 13, heavily armed assailants reportedly attacked the quiet agrarian community, locking families in their homes and setting them ablaze.
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The violence left at least 100 people dead, with many others still missing, and scores injured without access to proper medical care.
“There’s a grief that lingers when lives are taken so senselessly,” Pastor Adefarasin said in a statement issued on X Monday morning. “What happened in Yelewata village, Guma LGA, Benue State on the night of June 13th is both tragic and devastating.”
According to reports, survivors recounted horrifying scenes as entire households perished in flames. The attackers, suspected to be armed militias, struck under the cover of darkness, catching the village unprepared.
“Children woke up to silence. Mothers are still searching for sons,” Adefarasin continued. “This is not who we are meant to be. A nation that shrugs at such injustice risks being consumed by it.”
In his statement, Adefarasin called for collective national mourning and immediate action by leaders at all levels.
“To the people of Benue, your pain matters. Your lives matter,” he assured. “We pray for healing, for restoration, and for deep, true justice, not in mere words, but in palpable action.”
The Christian leader further challenged Nigerian authorities to rise to their responsibility and treat the ongoing security crisis with the seriousness it demands.
“And to our leaders, our custodians, and our conscience as a people: this is not the time to look away,” he said. “When one part of our nation bleeds, the whole must feel it. Enough is enough.”
This is not the first time Adefarasin has lent his voice to national tragedies. Known for his outspoken stance on social justice and unity, he has previously spoken against violent attacks in the Middle Belt, calling for genuine efforts at reconciliation and sustainable peace.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, including banditry, terrorism, and inter-communal conflicts, many are echoing Pastor Adefarasin’s message, urging an end to the impunity that allows such bloodshed to persist.
The federal government has yet to issue a full statement on the Yelewata killings, but pressure is mounting for a thorough investigation, swift justice for the victims, and real steps to prevent future massacres.
Pastor Adefarasin’s final words serve as a piercing moral indictment and a solemn reminder: “Enough is enough.”
