In a deeply moving moment of grief and solidarity, the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. William Avenya, paid a solemn visit to the Yelewata community in Benue State. The community was recently struck by a brutal attack that claimed the lives of five members of a single family, including the beloved mother and close relatives of Rev. Fr. Martin Tsegba, a priest of the diocese.
With quiet strength and visible sorrow, the grieving father of Fr. Martin led the Bishop through the ruins of what was once their family home—now reduced to ashes, silence, and the heavy presence of unspeakable loss. The scene was a heartbreaking testament to the violence that continues to plague the region.
“This is not just a tragedy,” a local resident said. “It’s a wound in the soul of a people.” Bishop Avenya’s visit was more than a pastoral duty—it was an embodiment of empathy, a spiritual leader standing shoulder to shoulder with his suffering flock.
The Bishop’s presence offered both comfort and a call to collective mourning, unity, and prayer. The entire Yelewata community remains in mourning, as the Church calls on the faithful and people of goodwill to keep Fr. Martin, his family, and the community in their prayers.
“May God comfort the broken, strengthen the weary, and heal our land.” The community continues to seek solace in prayer and solidarity, as they navigate the aftermath of this devastating tragedy.