The news of yet another horrific massacre of innocent Nigerians taking place the weekend of June 13-15 2025 has hit the global Nigerian community hard. This time, it was the Yelwata community located in Benue State, in the middle belt region of the country. As usual, the attackers eluded security forces and remain at large. And similar to previous tragedies, government anticipation of and response to the violence at the highest levels was delayed, inadequate and inconsistent with the gravity of the situation. For nearly 20 years, vicious and unknown assailants have killed thousands of Nigerians for seemingly doing nothing more than existing on desired land. These attacks leave unimaginable physical, psychological, economic and emotional scars on survivors. The fact that this wanton violence keeps repeating itself with no change prompts many uncomfortable questions and answers. As does the fact that we the every day Nigerian whether at home or in the diaspora, have become numb to these atrocities and seem to move on until the next incident occurs.

This numbness or apparent sad indifference to what should be unacceptable is not completely unique to Nigeria. There is an argument to be made that both the American government and American people have seemingly become indifferent with subdued reactions to gun violence problem in the United States. Whether it is the daily gun violence impacting communities, mass shootings, school shootings or even assassinations of politicians, America much like Nigeria seems to pause momentarily only to move forward without addressing the root causes of the problem, with the cycle of violence playing out over and over again.

While no country can afford to be indifferent to its ills, Nigeria with all of the massive insecurity problems, among others, cannot afford to be silent and “get used” to the unacceptable. The feeling of helplessness and the wondering of what an ordinary person can do is real and it’s very legitimate. But the smallest thing that each and every one of us can do is to at least use our voice to speak not just when others are speaking, but speak when others have forgotten or want to forget. We should not silence ourselves into indifference, because indifference breeds the lack of accountability that is so prevalent in Nigeria today. We must speak even when we don’t want to because talking can lead to understanding, collaboration and eventually solutions if we are committed enough. But we cannot break through the intense discord, disunity and indifference that can breed extreme violence in the first place, if we don’t first raise our voices.

PNP mourns with the people of Yelewata and other communities impacted in Benue and we will continue to follow the outcome of where and how to direct support for survivors. If you would like to contribute to any fundraising efforts, please contact us at phillynaijaprofessionals@gmail.com.