Germany supports Nigeria on security, urging protection for Benue community after deadly attack

Residents of Yelwata in Benue State have renewed calls for urgent protection and humanitarian assistance in the wake of deadly attacks last year, as Germany reaffirmed its support for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence.

The German Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Thomas Rachel, said this on Tuesday in Abuja after visiting affected communities and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

Reflecting on her visit to Yelwata, Rachel said the experience left a deep impression on her, noting that survivors of the attacks in June 2025—which killed more than 200 Christians—still fear for their safety and future.

“I am still moved by my visit to Yelwata, the village where the massacre occurred in June 2025. More than 200 Christians were murdered there.

“The people I spoke to, they asked for safety. They asked what the government could do. They asked for support to live, and they wanted the opportunity to return from being refugees, from being internally displaced, to their ancestral homes,” he said.

Yelwata, located about 7 km from Makurdi in Guma Local Government Area, was attacked in the early hours of June 13, 2025, by heavily armed assailants, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Farming communities, which had sheltered people fleeing violence previously, saw widespread destruction of homes and many injured residents.

Rachel described insecurity as a major concern across Nigeria, and stressed that extremist violence impacts both Christians and Muslims.

“You see that Christians and Muslims have the same enemy. They are terrorists. So let me express my full solidarity with Nigeria,” he said.

During his assessment visit, the German envoy met with victims, religious leaders, and government officials, and noted widespread anxiety among refugees.

“I spoke to the Muslim community, to Christians, to humanist representatives. I visited the international market of the refugee camp in Makurdi. I spoke to the victims, and you could feel that they were not sure if they had perspective for their lives and this saddened me,” he added.

He also expressed concern about alleged human rights violations associated with the enforcement of blasphemy laws in several regions in northern Nigeria.

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“We heard many people’s concerns regarding the implementation of some blasphemy laws in several northern states, which have resulted in serious violations of human rights, as well as freedom of religion and belief,” he said.

Highlighting the complexity of security challenges in Nigeria, Rachel pointed to insurgency in the Northern region and clashes between farmers and herders in the Central region as the main causes of violence.

“We have conflicts between farmers and especially external herders in the central region and in the north they are being killed by Boko Haram and ISWAP so this is a real terrorist problem,” he explained.

He emphasized that dialogue and mutual respect between religious groups is essential to resolve this crisis, while reaffirming Germany’s partnership with Nigeria.

“Nigeria is one of our main partners on the continent, and moreover, Nigeria and Germany share the same values. Both countries are democracies. They are free societies. Germany remains fully committed to protecting and promoting freedom of religion and belief.

“Did you know, we have the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 80, which states that everyone can have faith and religion, pray and worship whatever he wants, or change religions, or have no religion at all. This is a human right, which is the basis of the United Nations’ human rights, and is also important because freedom of religion and belief is an indicator of human dignity, the stability of a country, and also peace within a country.

“I realized that Nigeria is probably the most religious country I’ve ever seen, maybe in the world. The people live by religion, and I think that’s very impressive.”

Rachel added that Germany will continue to support Nigeria through political, economic and peacebuilding initiatives, including mediation efforts with organizations such as the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue.

“It is vital that you work for respect, mutual respect between these religions, and that you stand up against those who appropriate and abuse aspects of the religions to provide arguments for their attacks,” he said.

> Regarding military cooperation, he clarified that Germany’s role would remain advisory, not operational.
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> “We have some people from our group called the Bundeswehr who recommend and train the Nigerian military. We will not act in any military way in Nigeria. Nigeria is a strong country,” he said.
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> Reaffirming the importance of unity, Rachel stressed that overcoming fear among citizens remains critical to achieving lasting peace.
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> “And I think as long as people still have fear, this is still a challenge for the whole country, and that also means for the government,” he added.
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