Traditional ruler welcomes U.S. concern over rising insecurity
The traditional ruler of Yelwata community in Benue State, His Royal Highness Kumaga Jor, has publicly expressed support for the reported plans by former United States President Donald Trump to intervene in what he described as the ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Thursday, the monarch said the persistent killings in parts of the Middle Belt region have created a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent international attention.
Jor’s comments come in the wake of reports that the U.S. military has drafted preliminary options for intervention in Nigeria following Trump’s allegations that thousands of Christians have been killed by extremist groups across northern and central Nigeria.
Yelwata community still recovering from deadly attack
Recalling the June 2025 attack on Yelwata, HRH Jor said the tragedy remains fresh in the minds of residents. According to reports, around 200 people were killed when suspected gunmen invaded the community in Guma Local Government Area.
Many survivors of the incident, he said, are still displaced, while several communities have yet to recover from the destruction.
“The attack on my domain, as well as other attacks in Benue State, were carried out by armed terrorists who have targeted Christians and farmers,”
— HRH Kumaga Jor, Traditional Ruler of Yelwata
The monarch described the killings as systematic and deliberate, alleging that the attacks are aimed at displacing indigenous Christian communities and seizing their farmlands.
Monarch supports international intervention
Jor welcomed Trump’s statement and what he termed the U.S. government’s renewed focus on protecting vulnerable communities in Nigeria. He said the proposed U.S. military action, if carried out within the framework of international law, could help restore peace to parts of Benue and the wider Middle Belt.
“We appreciate the U.S. President for showing concern and for coming to the aid of Christians in Nigeria. The situation remains dire as killings continue almost daily, with many villages sacked and occupied by the terrorists,”
— HRH Kumaga Jor
He urged the international community, including the United Nations and African Union, to support Nigeria in addressing what he described as an “existential threat” to Christian populations in rural areas.
The monarch also called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to intensify efforts toward securing local communities and ensuring that displaced persons can safely return to their ancestral homes.
Displacement crisis deepens in Benue State
HRH Jor lamented that thousands of residents from Yelwata and nearby settlements are currently living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps scattered across Benue State. He described their living conditions as “inhuman and unsustainable,” noting that many of the displaced are women, children, and the elderly.
“Our people have been reduced to refugees in their own land. Most of them live in IDP camps under difficult conditions, without food, medical care, or adequate security,” he said.
Humanitarian groups estimate that more than two million people are currently displaced in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states due to ongoing conflicts between farmers and armed herders.
Nigeria’s government insists on sovereignty
While the Nigerian government has acknowledged the security challenges in parts of the country, it has also emphasized that any international assistance must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Officials have said that the government is working with international partners to strengthen intelligence-sharing and improve border security, but has not invited direct foreign military intervention.
Security analysts warn that any unilateral foreign military action could further complicate Nigeria’s internal security dynamics and undermine regional cooperation.
Calls for peaceful resolution
Despite his support for Trump’s concern, HRH Jor emphasized the need for peaceful and diplomatic solutions. He called on Nigerian leaders, religious groups, and traditional rulers to work together in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and community reconciliation.
“We want peace in our land. We do not seek war. But we want the world to understand the scale of the suffering of our people,” the monarch said.
He urged the federal and state governments to prioritize security sector reforms, improve rural policing, and support local initiatives aimed at preventing violent extremism.
Outlook
The monarch’s remarks reflect growing frustration among rural communities in Benue State, which has long been at the center of Nigeria’s farmer-herder conflicts. As calls for justice and protection intensify, both local and international stakeholders face renewed pressure to find lasting solutions to one of the country’s most persistent crises.
