Expressing deep sorrow and concern, the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, has demanded urgent and decisive action from President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government following the killing of over 100 people in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a press statement released Saturday in Jalingo, Bishop Hammawa said the time for condolences has passed, insisting that only visible and strategic efforts to end the violence can restore hope to affected communities.
“It is disheartening that despite repeated calls for help and several high-level visits to the state, the killings in Benue have continued without pause. The people of Benue—and the entire Middle Belt—are not just numbers. They are human beings entitled to safety, dignity, and peace,” the Bishop said.
While acknowledging the President’s recent condolence visit to Benue, he emphasized that words and sympathy must now give way to action.
“We appreciate the President’s gesture, but without concrete follow-through, these visits become symbolic. What’s needed now is a clear, sustained plan to hold the perpetrators accountable and bring lasting peace,” he added.
Bishop Hammawa criticized the culture of impunity surrounding the attacks, calling on security agencies and government institutions to carry out their duties with urgency and resolve.
“The government cannot afford to stand by while innocent Nigerians are slaughtered. Those behind these heinous crimes must be brought to justice, regardless of who they are or where they come from.”
On behalf of the Diocese, the Bishop expressed heartbreak over the loss of lives—many of them women, children, and the elderly—and offered prayers for the grieving families and injured survivors.
“In this moment of pain, we stand in solidarity with the people of Benue. We pray for comfort, healing, and the strength to carry on.”
He further called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders to work together to promote truth, justice, and peace across Nigeria.
“We cannot be silent. These killings are an assault on the value of human life. Let us rise above division and work for peace. May the God of justice arise and fight for His people.”
