A Nigerian woman who survived the horrific Yelwata massacre has delivered heartbreaking testimony to United States lawmakers, describing how she witnessed the brutal murder of her five children during the attack on displaced families in Benue State.
Survivor's Harrowing Account Before Congress
Msurshima Apeh appeared virtually before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa during a hearing examining President Donald Trump's decision to return Nigeria to the Country of Particular Concern list. The emotional testimony came as Congress reviewed reports of escalating violence across Nigeria.
Apeh told the panel that armed militants invaded the camp where displaced families were sleeping in June 2025. She explained that she had just put her children to bed around 9 pm when the attackers struck the Yelwata camp in Guma area.
The Night of Terror in Benue State
"When we went to sleep that night, the Fulani terrorists attacked us where we were sleeping," Apeh recounted. "We were locked inside the camp, and they were butchering people with cutlasses and shooting guns as well."
The survivor described the attackers setting buildings ablaze after pouring petrol on them, leaving many victims burned beyond recognition. In a desperate attempt to save herself, Apeh climbed a tree while her children remained below.
"My five children that I left below were crying, and in my presence, they were being slaughtered by the terrorists," she told the committee, her voice heavy with emotion. After the attackers moved through the compound, Apeh fled into the bush where rescue workers eventually found her.
US Congress Reviews Nigeria's CPC Designation
The testimony came during critical deliberations about Nigeria's return to the Country of Particular Concern list, a designation that could expose Nigerian officials to sanctions and affect security cooperation between the two nations. The CPC status still awaits Senate ratification.
Lawmakers are examining increasing attacks in various parts of Nigeria and the government's response to the violence. The Yelwata assault left scores dead and thousands displaced to temporary camps in Nasarawa State, according to local groups.
Civil rights advocates have blamed armed herdsmen for the violence, while President Bola Tinubu condemned the killings and ordered security agencies to respond. The congressional review continues as US lawmakers consider policy options, including humanitarian interventions and targeted measures against perpetrators.
International scrutiny of Nigeria's security situation has intensified following President Trump's remarks about Christian persecution in the country. Nigerian authorities have rejected these accusations, insisting that Nigeria protects freedom of worship for all citizens.
