By The President of the NKST Church, Rev. Ambassador Nendaga Asôngo Adure JP, has raised an urgent alarm over what he called the “persistent and targeted killings” in Benue State, lamenting the death of more than 100 members of his church.
Addressing journalists at the NKST Church Headquarters in Mkar-Gboko, Rev. Adure described the killings, which he attributed to Fulani militia, as a “national emergency” requiring swift and coordinated intervention from the Federal Government.
“We gather here today with heavy hearts,” he said. “The deteriorating state of security in our nation, particularly the heartbreaking and persistent killings in Benue State, cannot continue unchecked.”
Among the victims, Rev. Adure noted, were one of the church’s own pastors, Rev. Benjamin Teryima Iorngaghem, and his wife, who were both murdered in their home just two days prior.
He revealed that over 300 people were massacred in a single attack on Easter Friday, and that more than 600 lives have been lost across communities such as Guma, Logo, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, and Otukpo since the beginning of the year.
“The Church is mourning, bruised and broken,” he said, adding that 247 NKST churches have been forced to shut down as a result of insecurity, with pastors and their families fleeing for safety.
Rev. Adure also disclosed that over 1.5 million people—among them 400,000 NKST members—have been displaced and are now living in makeshift camps with limited assistance. The Church has mobilised food support to 34 church classes across 204 local consistories, but the scale of need remains overwhelming.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently respond with a four-pronged approach:
Declare a State of Emergency on Security in Benue State
Implement a comprehensive compensation and resettlement plan for displaced communities
Provide adequate protection for churches and religious leaders
Establish a dialogue and reconciliation framework involving traditional, spiritual, and civil society actors.
“We cannot, and must not, hide the identity of these Fulani herdsmen and normalise bloodshed,” he warned. “This press conference is not just to raise alarms. It is a clarion call to conscience and leadership.”
Rev. Adure appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, urging them to take decisive action. “History will not be kind to those who stay silent in the face of such atrocities,” he said.
In a final show of solidarity, the NKST Church extended its condolences to the Catholic Church worldwide on the reported passing of Pope Francis, stating: “May the Lord console His people.
