Today in history: In Nigeria, Armed Muslims killed 78 Christians. In response, about 630 Muslims were killed by Christians in Yelwa, Kebbi.

Today in history On May 2, 2004 – The Yelwa massacre concludes. It began on 4 February 2004 when armed Muslims killed 78 Christians at Yelwa, Nigeria. In response, about 630 Muslims were killed by Christians on May 2.

The Yelwa massacre was a tragic and brutal episode in Nigeria's long history of sectarian violence, rooted in deep-seated ethnic, religious, and political tensions. The violence began on February 4, 2004, when Muslim militants attacked the Christian community in Yelwa, a town in Plateau State. During this initial attack, 78 Christians were killed, and many others were injured or displaced. The perpetrators reportedly used guns, machetes, and other weapons to carry out the massacre, and churches were also burned. This attack was one of many incidents in the broader ethno-religious conflict that has plagued central Nigeria, particularly between the predominantly Muslim Hausa-Fulani and Christian ethnic groups like the Tarok and Berom.

 

Tensions in Yelwa and surrounding areas had been simmering for years due to disputes over land, political power, and religious dominance. The February attack further inflamed hostilities and set the stage for a devastating retaliation. On May 2, 2004, Christian militias launched a coordinated and deadly reprisal attack on Muslims in Yelwa. In this counter-massacre, approximately 630 Muslims were killed in what observers described as a highly organized and targeted slaughter. Reports indicated that churches were used as gathering points for the attackers and that the assault involved brutal killings, mutilations, and arson. Many victims were reportedly tricked into thinking they were being protected before being killed.

The Yelwa massacre highlighted the failure of the Nigerian government and security forces to prevent or effectively respond to escalating communal violence. Despite warnings and prior incidents, law enforcement and military intervention were either delayed or insufficient, allowing the cycle of revenge attacks to spiral out of control. The international community and human rights organizations condemned the killings, calling for justice and reconciliation. However, many perpetrators were never held accountable, and the lack of resolution contributed to ongoing distrust and cycles of reprisal in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. The events of Yelwa remain a painful reminder of the human cost of ethno-religious conflict and the urgent need for peacebuilding and governance reforms in Nigeria.

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