In Makurdi Diocese, at least 15 Catholic churches have been forced to close because armed herders have been attacking local communities. The violence has made it impossible for church members and priests to stay in these areas.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, who leads the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association in Makurdi, spoke to journalists about how these attacks are hurting both the people and the church. He said the situation is very serious and has caused much suffering.
Some of the communities hit hardest in the last two weeks include Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana. More than 50 people have lost their lives, including many women and children.
Fr. Beba believes the recent rise in violence, especially in Gwer West Local Government Area, might be connected to the Makurdi Catholic bishop’s recent talks in the US and Europe. The bishop had spoken about the growing persecution of Christians in Benue State and Nigeria as a whole.
The priest also criticized the military and security forces in the area. He said some attacks happened very close to military checkpoints, but the soldiers did nothing to stop the violence. This lack of action raises serious concerns about their professionalism and possible complicity.
Because of the attacks, many communities like Jiba, Mabalom Yelwata, and Aondoana have been abandoned. The people and priests have had to leave, which has forced the churches there to shut down.
One recent attack involved Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, who was shot just three kilometers from Naka and less than 500 meters from an army checkpoint. Despite calls for help from the villagers, the military did not intervene.
Fr. Beba believes these attacks are aimed directly at Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and the Catholic Church he represents. They appear to be a response to the bishop’s statements abroad about the persecution of Christians in the region.
The priest is calling on Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and the governor of Benue State to take strong action against these armed herders. The governor has already said that the attackers are not Nigerians.
Finally, Fr. Beba urges young people in the state to be ready to defend their faith, farms, and way of life. He reminds everyone that the right to protect oneself is a basic human right.
