In a deeply emotional and urgent press conference held yesterday in Makurdi, the President of the NKST Church, Reverend Asôngo Adure JP, issued a passionate call to the Nigerian government and global community to act decisively in response to the escalating killings in Benue State, allegedly perpetrated by Fulani militia groups.
Addressing a crowd of journalists, clergy, and concerned citizens, Rev. Adure began with a solemn tone: “We gather here today with heavy hearts to address a matter of utmost national concern: The deteriorating state of security in our nation, with particular emphasis on the heartbreaking and persistent killings in Benue State.”
Between Easter Friday and today, over 100 members of the NKST Church have reportedly been killed, including the brutal murder of Rev. Benjamin Teryima Iorngaghem and his wife in their residence. In total, Rev. Adure reported that over 600 people have been killed across Benue State since January, with over 300 slain in a single attack on Easter Friday. Many pastors have been forced to flee their communities, and more than 247 NKST churches have been shut down or destroyed due to the violence.
Once known for its agricultural productivity and peaceful communities, Benue State has been plunged into chaos and fear. “The region is now synonymous with mass burials, tears, the sound of gunfire, and deepening hunger and poverty,” Rev. Adure said.
He emphasized that the situation is not only a humanitarian crisis but a direct attack on the Christian community in Nigeria. The NKST Church’s humanitarian arm has been stretched thin, supporting over 1.5 million displaced persons, including 400,000 church members now living in dire conditions.
In an unequivocal message to the government, Rev. Adure made four key demands:
1. A State of Emergency on Security in Benue State.
2. A Comprehensive Compensation and Resettlement Plan for all affected communities, including the reconstruction of destroyed churches and schools.
3. Increased Protection for Religious Institutions and Leaders.
4. Community Dialogue and Peace-Building Initiatives involving traditional, religious, and civil society leaders.
He condemned the normalization of violence and the government’s silence on the identity of the attackers. “We cannot, and must not, hide the identity of these Fulani herdsmen and normalize bloodshed. The cries from Benue are not isolated; they echo the broader call for justice and peace across the nation,” he stated.
The NKST President concluded with a call to conscience for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and all Nigerians to take immediate and decisive action. He also extended condolences to the global Catholic community on the passing of Pope Francis, calling it a tragic loss for the Christian world.
Rev. Adure ended with a firm declaration: “The NKST Church will not be silent. The people will not be silent. History will judge us by what we choose to do now.”
