The U.S. State Department and Pope Leo XIV have both strongly condemned the latest massacre of Christians in Benue State, Nigeria, allegedly carried out by Islamist militants.
Speaking to a large crowd at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV decried the June 13 attack in Yelewata, where, he said, “around 200 people were murdered with extraordinary cruelty.” The pontiff noted that many of the victims had sought refuge in a Catholic sanctuary and were internally displaced persons hosted by a local mission.
“I pray for security, peace, and justice — especially for the Christian rural communities of Benue who have repeatedly suffered such violence,” the Pope said.
Echoing this condemnation, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital late Monday that the United States “strongly condemns these increasing attacks, including the recent massacres in Benue State which primarily targeted Christian farming communities.”
According to a report from the international charity Aid to the Church in Need, the attackers reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” while burning homes and attacking civilians with guns and machetes. The militants allegedly doused doors with fuel before setting homes on fire and opening fire on residents.
Benue State, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and reported to be over 90% Christian, has seen repeated attacks in recent years. The U.S. spokesperson reinforced concerns that Islamist extremist groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, continue to pose a serious threat, especially in areas with Christian majorities.
“Violent extremist groups target civilians and military alike in their campaign against a secular Nigerian state,” the spokesperson said, adding that increased efforts are needed to protect vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable.
The 2025 World Watch List by Open Doors International ranks Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians reportedly killed worldwide in the latest 12-month reporting period, 3,100 — nearly 70% — were in Nigeria.
A Nigerian church leader, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, said such attacks are part of a broader goal to enforce Islamic dominance across affected regions.
“They want to make Christianity irrelevant in these areas and impose Sharia law,” he claimed.
This perspective appears to align with the State Department’s assessment of the situation, citing a rise in religiously motivated violence and an urgent need for better security responses from the Nigerian government.
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who testified before U.S. lawmakers in March about attacks on Christians, said his village was later targeted in multiple assaults. Within 10 days, 20 parishioners were reportedly killed in four separate incidents. The bishop has since gone into hiding following warnings from several embassies in Abuja about credible threats to his safety.
The State Department reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts and strengthening the rule of law.
“We continue to urge the Nigerian government to do more to protect civilians and bring those responsible to justice,” the spokesperson stated.
While the Nigerian government has not commented on the recent massacre, President Bola Tinubu, during a visit to Benue last week, said: “Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace.”
Despite this call, six more people were reported killed in the same area on the day of the President’s visit.
