My name is Msurshima Apeh, and I stand before you today not just as a survivor, but as a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of resilience in the face of unimaginable horror. What I witnessed on that fateful night in Yelwata, Benue State, is a testament to the brutality that innocent people like us endure at the hands of ruthless assailants. It is my duty to share my story, to demand justice, and to fight against the injustices that plague our land.

When darkness fell on that tragic night, we were vulnerable, the Fulani terrorists descended upon us like a storm, wielding cutlasses and guns.  They butchered our neighbors and extinguished the lives of my five beloved children before my very eyes.

“When the torture had finished,” I recounted, my heart pounding with the weight of that memory, “they poured petrol on the building, and the majority of us were set ablaze.”  I climbed a tree, a desperate act of survival, and as I did, I bore witness to the horrific slaughter below. My children cried out for me, their innocent voices a haunting melody of despair. I was powerless to save them, yet I clung to life, determined to tell their story.

In the aftermath of that horrific attack, I fled into the bush, driven by the primal instinct to survive. I was not just running from the flames; I was running towards hope. Eventually, I was rescued and relocated to a new camp, but I promised myself that I would never forget the pain, the sorrow, the loss. I would not let their lives be extinguished in vain.

The massacre in Yelwata, orchestrated by armed herdsmen, was not merely an isolated incident; it was a manifestation of a deeper rot within our society. This violence claimed countless lives,including five valiant security personnel who were there to protect us. It obliterated homes and shattered families, leaving behind a trail of grief and despair. I will not rest until justice is served for every soul lost that night, including my children.

Our leaders must take heed. President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue State was a step in the right direction, a pledge to confront this crisis head-on. His commitment to meet with stakeholders and victims sends a message: we will not be silenced, we will not be ignored. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s condemnation of these attacks as threats to our national sovereignty demonstrates a growing awareness that we cannot allow such atrocities to define us.

But we must do more. As I stand here today, I implore you,political leaders, religious organizations, civil society groups,to unite in demanding justice and stronger security measures. The world is watching as we wage this battle against violence and persecution in Nigeria. Survivors like me are not just victims; we are warriors for change, and we will continue to fight until the day comes when no mother has to witness the slaughter of her children.

It is time for action. It is time for justice. It is time for a future where our children can sleep without fear. I will not rest until I see this vision realized. For my children, for the lost, for every victim of this senseless violence, I will stand tall and demand the justice we rightfully deserve.