Msurshima Apeh, a survivor of the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, delivered an emotional testimony before the U.S. Congress on Thursday, recounting how she witnessed the brutal killing of her five children during the terrorist invasion of their camp.
Her appearance came during a congressional hearing examining President Donald Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern list over alleged religious persecution.
Speaking before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Apeh described the horrifying night of the attack.
“Around 9pm, Fulani terrorists struck where we were sleeping. We were locked inside the Yelwata camp, and they attacked us with cutlasses and guns. Later, they poured petrol on the building, setting most of it ablaze,” she said.
Apeh explained that she survived by climbing a nearby tree while her children were unable to escape.
“I climbed up and hid myself. My five children were left below, crying as they were slaughtered by the attackers,” she testified.
After fleeing into the bush, she was later rescued and relocated to a new camp.
The Yelwata assault, believed to have been carried out by armed herdsmen, claimed numerous lives, including civilians and five security personnel (two soldiers, a police officer, and two others). Homes and market stalls were destroyed, and many families were wiped out entirely, including one with 15 members.
President Bola Tinubu, reacting to the tragedy, canceled other engagements to visit Benue State. He met with victims, hospital patients, and community leaders, promising to address the worsening security situation. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun condemned the violence as a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, revealing that 26 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings and that additional deployments were underway.
The massacre triggered nationwide outrage, with religious groups, political leaders, and civil society calling for justice, accountability, and stronger security measures to prevent further bloodshed.
