Armed Fulani herdsmen have launched a violent assault on St. Paul’s Parish in Aye-Twar (Agu Centre), Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

A resident confirmed the incident and urged security agencies and relevant authorities to act swiftly to protect lives and property.

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA) in Katsina-Ala Diocese has condemned the attack, describing it as a “genocidal strike” against both the Church and the local community.

According to a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Samuel Fila, Chairman of the NCDPA, the armed group completely shut down the parish, burning the rectory to ashes, destroying the parish secretariat, damaging pastoral vehicles, household items, and other valuables.

The association noted that the attack is part of a long series of assaults on the Aye-Twar community. Previous attacks had already forced the parish priest to relocate, with only minimal pastoral work continuing in the area.

All 26 outstations under the parish are now under the control of the armed group, forcing residents to flee and leaving the entire Agu Centre community deserted.

The priests emphasised that the incident goes beyond the usual farmer-herder conflict narrative, calling it a deliberate, well-organised attempt at ethnic cleansing, territorial takeover, and the occupation of lands that rightfully belong to the community.