Residents of Yelwata community in Benue State have called for urgent protection and humanitarian assistance following last year’s deadly attack, as the German government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing insecurity and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Thomas Rachel, Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday after a fact-finding visit to affected communities and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Rachel said his visit to Yelwata was deeply emotional, noting that survivors of the June 2025 massacre expressed fears over their safety and uncertainty about returning to their ancestral homes. He stated that over 200 people were reportedly killed in the attack.
According to him, residents consistently appealed for government protection, improved living conditions, and support to enable displaced persons to return home safely.
He explained that during his visit, he interacted with victims, religious leaders, government officials, and community members, observing widespread trauma and insecurity among affected populations.
Rachel also emphasised that both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria are affected by extremist violence, describing terrorists as a common enemy of all communities. He referenced ongoing insecurity linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North, as well as farmer–herder clashes in the Middle Belt.
He noted concerns raised about human rights issues related to the application of blasphemy laws in some northern states, warning that such practices can lead to violations of religious freedom.
The German envoy reaffirmed that Germany remains committed to supporting Nigeria through political cooperation, peace-building initiatives, and advisory military training, while stressing that Germany would not deploy combat troops.
German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) personnel, he said, only provide training and advisory support to Nigerian security forces as part of ongoing collaboration.
Rachel described Nigeria as one of Germany’s key partners in Africa and praised the country’s strong religious diversity, while stressing that tolerance and mutual respect are essential for lasting peace.
He also referenced international human rights principles, noting that freedom of religion and belief remains fundamental to human dignity and national stability.
Reiterating Germany’s position, he said efforts to combat insecurity must focus on dialogue, respect among religious groups, and resistance to the misuse of religion to justify violence.
Rachel further assured that Germany would continue to support Nigeria through diplomatic engagement and cooperation with international mediation organisations to strengthen peace-building efforts.
He concluded that sustained fear among citizens remains a major challenge and called for continued government action to restore confidence and stability across affected communities.
