Michael Ajah, a resident of Benue State, has spoken out in anguish after losing 20 members of his family in the recent massacre carried out by suspected terrorists in Yelwata
The attack, which occurred last weekend, claimed the lives of over 200 people. Ajah shared his heartbreaking ordeal in an interview with News Central.
“My family members died in this house—eleven of them,” he said. “Some died in the store—eight of them. In total, 20 of my family members were killed that day. I’m not even talking about others. Just my own family.”
Ajah also revealed that both his home and store were set ablaze during the invasion, leaving him with nothing. He appeared for the interview wearing the only piece of clothing he has left.
Recalling the horrifying night, he said: “It started raining that evening. I was asleep. Around 10:20 p.m., we began hearing gunshots. Before we realized what was happening, Fulani herdsmen had entered the area.”
When asked how he could identify the attackers, Ajah responded: “I heard them clearly. No one told me—they surrounded the room I was in. I was lucky to escape, but my brothers were burnt alive inside the house.”
His story adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding urgent action to end the persistent bloodshed in Benue and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
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