A survivor of the June 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State, Msurshima Apeh, on Thursday gave a heartbreaking account before the United States Congress, narrating how terrorists murdered her five children.
Apeh testified during a hearing examining President Donald Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern list over alleged religious persecution.
She told the House Subcommittee on Africa that the attackers struck at night, trapping families inside the camp before unleashing violence.
“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.
“When the torture had finished at some point in time, they poured petrol on the building and the majority of them were set ablaze,” she said from Benue.
Apeh said she survived by climbing a tree, adding that she watched helplessly as her children were slaughtered.
“In the course of this action, I saw a tree when I lifted my eyes. I raised my hands on the tree and climbed up where I was able to hide myself.
“My five children that I left below were crying, and in my presence, they were being slaughtered by the terrorists,” she recounted.
She explained that she fled into the bush and was later rescued before being relocated to another camp.
“I ran out into the bush at some point, and those who came for rescue will now bring me out of that place at some point, and I was able to witness the whole drama. When the people came, we were now relocated to a new camp,” she added.
The Yelwata attack left dozens dead, including civilians and five security operatives two soldiers, a police officer and two others—while homes and market stalls were burnt.
President Bola Tinubu visited the state after the incident, met with stakeholders and assured victims of support and strengthened security measures.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the killings posed a threat to national stability and confirmed that 26 suspects had been arrested over the attack.