Survivor Details Massacre: Five Children Killed in Yelwata Attack
- Msurshima Apeh, a survivor of the June 2025 yelwata attack in Benue State, Nigeria, recounted the killing of her five children before a US Congressional subcommittee, contributing to...
- Msurshima Apeh testified virtually before the House Subcommittee on Africa on Thursday, detailing the horrific events of the June 2025 attack on Yelwata, Benue State.
- "When we went to sleep that night around 9 pm, the Fulani terrorists attacked us where we were sleeping.
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Survivor Testifies before US Congress on Violence in Nigeria, Highlighting Religious Persecution Concerns
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Msurshima Apeh, a survivor of the June 2025 yelwata attack in Benue State, Nigeria, recounted the killing of her five children before a US Congressional subcommittee, contributing to a hearing on Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
Last updated: November 22, 2025, 21:41:06 UTC
the Yelwata Attack and Msurshima Apeh’s Testimony
Msurshima Apeh testified virtually before the House Subcommittee on Africa on Thursday, detailing the horrific events of the June 2025 attack on Yelwata, Benue State. She described how suspected armed herdsmen attacked her family while they slept, locking them inside thier camp before inflicting violence with firearms and machetes.
“When we went to sleep that night around 9 pm, the Fulani terrorists attacked us where we were sleeping. We were locked inside the camp, Yelwata, and they were butchering them with cutlasses and shooting guns as well,” Apeh told the panel, according to reports from Premium Times.
Apeh’s testimony focused on the brutal nature of the attack and the helplessness she felt as she witnessed the deaths of her children. Further details regarding the aftermath of the attack, including the number of total casualties and the response from Nigerian authorities, are still emerging.
Nigeria’s “Country of Particular Concern” Designation
The US Congressional hearing centered on President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate Nigeria on the “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) list. This designation, issued by the US State Department, is reserved for countries where religious freedom is severely restricted or violated. The decision, announced in December 2024, prompted debate and scrutiny regarding the human rights situation in Nigeria.
The US State Department cited ongoing reports of religious persecution, particularly in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, as justification for the designation. These reports detail violence between farmers and herders, often along religious lines, as well as attacks on churches and other religious institutions. The CPC designation can trigger sanctions and other measures aimed at pressuring the Nigerian government to improve its record on religious freedom.
Nigeria was previously added to the CPC list in 2020 under the Trump management, removed in 2021 by the Biden administration, and then reinstated in December 2024. The reinstatement reflects a perceived deterioration in the situation.
Context: farmer-Herder Conflicts and Religious Tensions in Nigeria
The violence in Benue State, and the broader Middle Belt region, is rooted in a complex interplay of factors, including competition for land and resources, climate change, and ethnic and religious tensions. The conflict often pits predominantly Christian farmers against predominantly Muslim herders.
The term “Fulani terrorists,” used by Apeh, refers to members of the Fulani ethnic group, some of whom have been accused of carrying out attacks on farming communities. however, it’s crucial to note that not all Fulani people are involved in the violence, and attributing blame to an entire ethnic group is dangerous and inaccurate. The situation is further complicated by the presence of armed groups and the proliferation of weapons.
Here’s a table summarizing reported incidents in Benue State (data as of November 22, 2025, based on available reports from