A horrific attack in the Nigerian village of Yelwata on the night of June 12th has left at least 200 Christians dead, according to reports from Catholic aid organizations and eyewitnesses. The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, opened fire on fleeing villagers, shouted “Allahu Akbar,” and set fire to shelters, resulting in a gruesome massacre.
Victims, including babies, children, and entire families, were shot, burned alive, and left scattered across the village.
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic charity, confirmed the death toll, with local priest Ukuma Jonathan Angbianbee describing the scene as one of utter devastation. “Bodies were scattered everywhere,” he said. The attack initially targeted the local church, which was defended by police, but the attackers soon shifted their focus to shelters for displaced people, dousing them with gasoline before setting them ablaze. ACN reported that some bodies were burned beyond recognition, and Amnesty International confirmed that families were trapped in their homes and burned alive.
Despite numerous reports indicating the religious nature of the attack, German state broadcaster ZDF downplayed the religious targeting of Christians in its coverage. Instead, it framed the violence primarily as stemming from climate change, population growth, and disputes over farmland. Critics have accused ZDF of deliberately ignoring the religious context of the massacre, suggesting that the broadcaster’s ideological stance influenced its portrayal of the events.
The massacre in Yelwata highlights the growing religious tensions in Nigeria, with Christians increasingly becoming targets of violent attacks. While the official narrative from some outlets may downplay the religious elements, the brutal nature of the attack and the testimony of survivors paint a clear picture of a targeted assault on a Christian community.
