Catholic priests decry relentless deadly attacks as herdsmen shut 50 churches, kill 50 in Makurdi

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA) in Makurdi Diocese has raised alarm over what it described as relentless, deadly attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue State, revealing that more than 50 lives have been lost and at least 15 Catholic parishes shut down in the past month alone.

Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, the Chairman of NCDPA, Revd. Fr. Joseph Beba, condemned the spate of violence, which he described as a systematic campaign aimed at wiping out Tiv communities.

The cleric accused security agencies, especially military personnel deployed to the troubled areas, of complicity through their inaction while attacks persist.

“Among those affected are Catholic priests, leading to the closure of 15 parishes in Makurdi Diocese alone,” Fr. Beba lamented, adding that security forces stationed nearby routinely fail to intervene during assaults.

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The priests narrated harrowing accounts of recent attacks, including the shooting of Revd. Fr. Solomon Atongo of St. John’s Quasi Parish, Jimba, reportedly gunned down a mere 500 meters from a military checkpoint at Tse Orbiam without any response from soldiers.

The same community was later attacked, leaving casualties in its wake.

Communities such as Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana have all reportedly been targets of these ongoing assaults, with victims including women, children, and pregnant women.

The clergy described the killings as “inhumane, barbaric, and a grave violation of human dignity.”

The association also hinted at a possible link between the renewed wave of attacks and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe’s recent international advocacy on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

They alleged that the violence appears to be a direct attack on the bishop, the diocese, and the Catholic Church.

Notably, on May 25, Bishop Anagbe’s home village of Aondoana was attacked, forcing priests and nuns into hiding in the nearby bush.

A day later, terrorists invaded Nagi-Camp, situated only five kilometres from an army base in Agagbe, without any military intervention.

The following night, the Yelewata community in Guma LGA was attacked, leaving an entire family dead and Revd. Fr. Jonathan Ukuma narrowly escaping an assassination attempt.

The clergy expressed frustration over the lack of visits or public solidarity from both federal and state authorities as their communities continue to suffer displacement and bereavement.

“We are not sure whose side the military is on. Their behavior raises serious concerns of complicity,” they said.

They urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to act decisively against what they termed “ethnic cleansing” targeting Tiv communities and called on President Bola Tinubu to declare an all-out war against the foreign militias identified by the state government.

“This is a direct attack on our people. Failure to act decisively will be perceived as indifference or complicity. To be silent is to die twice,” the priests warned.

The clerics demanded government compensation for affected victims, the safe return of displaced persons to their homes, and for immediate security interventions on the increasingly dangerous Makurdi-Naka and Taraku-Naka roads.

Reaffirming their commitment to the gospel, the priests vowed not to be silenced and urged Nigerian youths to be ready to defend their communities, faith, and lands within the confines of the law.

“The right to self-defence is inalienable,” they declared.