• 01 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• comments off

Catholic Priests Sound Alarm as Herdsmen Kill 50, Force Closure of 15 Churches in Makurdi.

The Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA) in Makurdi, Benue State, has raised serious concerns over escalating attacks by armed herdsmen, reporting that over 50 people have been killed and 15 Catholic parishes shut down wi

thin a month.

Speaking at a press conference, Revd. Fr. Joseph Beba, Chairman of NCDPA in Makurdi Diocese, described the violence as a systematic attempt to wipe out Tiv communities. He also accused security forces, particularly the military, of failing to act despite being stationed nearby.

Fr. Beba highlighted the shooting of Revd. Fr. Solomon Atongo, who was attacked near a military checkpoint at Tse Orbiam. That same community, along with others like Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana, has suffered repeated attacks, resulting in deaths of men, women, children, and even a pregnant woman.

The priests described these incidents as cruel violations of human dignity and alleged that the violence may be linked to international advocacy by Bishop Wilfred Anagbe regarding Christian persecution in Nigeria. They pointed out that the Bishop’s home village of Aondoana was attacked on May 25, forcing clergy and religious workers to flee into hiding.

Another assault occurred on May 26 at Nagi-Camp, located just five kilometers from a military base in Agagbe, yet no intervention came from the military. The next night, the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area was targeted, with an entire family killed and a priest narrowly escaping an assassination attempt.

The priests expressed disappointment in both federal and state governments, saying neither had visited the affected areas or offered support. They accused security forces of potentially being complicit due to their repeated inaction and urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to take strong action against what they called an “ethnic cleansing” campaign against the Tiv people.

They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare a full military operation against the armed groups, said to be foreign terrorists, and called for government compensation and the resettlement of displaced people.

The clergy reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful advocacy but emphasized that citizens have a right to defend their lives, property, and religious freedom within the law.

To remain silent is to die twice,” they warned, urging Nigerian youth to stand firm in defending their communities and faith.

Faith Kegh

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