Traditional Ruler In Benue Seeks Trump’s Urgent Intervention Amid Ongoing Christian Massacres In Nigeria

 

The traditional ruler of Yelwata community in Benue State, His Royal Highness Kumaga Jor, has called on United States President Donald Trump to take urgent and decisive action to halt what he described as the genocide of Christians in Nigeria. Speaking during a press conference in Makurdi on Thursday, the monarch expressed deep pain over the escalating violence and lauded Trump for raising global attention to the plight of Christians in the country.

Jor’s remarks followed the gruesome killing of about 200 people in Yelwata in June 2025, when suspected Fulani gunmen stormed the community, leaving behind destruction, tears, and widespread displacement. He lamented that his community and several others across Benue have continued to live under constant fear of further attacks, while the authorities appear helpless in stopping the bloodshed.

The monarch noted that the consistent targeting of Christian-dominated communities in Benue and other Middle Belt states lends credence to Trump’s earlier statement describing the situation as an ongoing Christian genocide. According to him, the Yelwata tragedy was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of religiously motivated violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many more.

HRH Jor commended the U.S. President for his recent comments and what he described as a “courageous acknowledgment” of the situation in Nigeria. He urged Trump to expedite the process of intervention, including the possible deployment of military support, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic pressure to compel the Nigerian government to protect its vulnerable citizens.

Speaking with emotion, the traditional ruler said the continued silence of the international community could embolden the perpetrators to intensify their attacks. He emphasized that the killings have not only devastated families but have also destroyed farmlands, schools, and houses of worship, making life unbearable for those who once lived peacefully in the affected communities.

“The killings in Benue and across the Middle Belt are not random acts of violence; they are targeted attacks meant to wipe out Christian communities,” Jor asserted. “We have lost our people, our homes, and our heritage. The attackers come under the cover of darkness, slaughtering men, women, and children alike. These are acts of terrorism, pure and simple.”

He recounted how his once-thriving community has now been reduced to ashes, with the majority of its residents scattered across Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. According to him, the IDPs live in appalling conditions, struggling with hunger, disease, and trauma, as many have no hope of returning home anytime soon.

Jor further expressed concern that despite repeated appeals to the federal government and security agencies, there has been little progress in arresting or prosecuting those responsible for the atrocities. He lamented that communities under constant siege have been forced to organize local vigilantes for self-defense, often with limited resources and poor weaponry compared to the well-armed attackers.

The monarch’s statement comes amid growing calls from civil society organizations, religious leaders, and international human rights groups urging global powers to pay closer attention to the escalating violence in Nigeria’s northern and central regions. Analysts believe Trump’s warning about potential U.S. military involvement has reignited discussions on how the global community can support Nigeria in combating terrorism and sectarian violence without undermining its sovereignty.

Benue State, often described as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has been one of the hardest-hit areas by deadly herder-farmer conflicts that have increasingly taken on ethnic and religious dimensions. Dozens of communities across Guma, Gwer West, Logo, and Agatu local government areas have suffered repeated attacks over the past decade, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.

As the violence persists, the monarch called for unity among Nigerians regardless of faith, urging both Christians and Muslims to reject extremism and embrace peaceful coexistence. He, however, maintained that the government must demonstrate the political will to end what he termed a “silent war against Christians.”

Jor concluded by expressing hope that Trump’s interest in the matter would lead to tangible international action that could help restore peace and dignity to his people. “We are a peaceful people who want nothing more than to live and farm in safety,” he said. “Our prayer is that President Trump and the global community will act before more innocent lives are lost.”

With his heartfelt appeal, the Benue monarch has become one of the latest voices amplifying the cry for justice and protection in a region long torn apart by violence, displacement, and neglect.