14/06/2026
YELEWATA: AONDOAKAA PAYS TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS, DEMANDS LASTING PEACE AND JUSTICE
By: James Ian
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State for the 2027 election, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, on Saturday joined the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, alongside other distinguished sons and daughters of Benue, members of the clergy, religious men and women, and the lay faithful at a memorial Mass held in remembrance of the victims of the June 13 and 14, 2025, Yelewata massacre, which claimed the lives of 271 innocent people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of the state.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Bishop Anagbe, drew sympathizers from across the state who gathered in prayer, reflection, and solidarity with families of the victims. The atmosphere was one of immense grief and renewed resolve as the faithful remembered those whose lives were brutally cut short in one of the darkest chapters in the state’s recent history. A major highlight of the memorial Mass was the consecration of the memorial monument erected in honour of the victims of the genocide, symbolising the enduring memory of the departed and the collective determination that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Chief Aondoakaa described the memorial as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for lasting peace, justice, and adequate security across Benue State. He noted that the memory of the victims should continue to inspire leaders at all levels to place the protection of lives and property above every other consideration while working tirelessly to end the persistent attacks on communities.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed, comfort for the bereaved families, and God’s healing upon the people of Yelewata and the entire state. He also reaffirmed his commitment to a future in which every Benue person can live, work, and thrive in peace, security, and dignity.
