Catholic Church Shuts Down 15 Parishes in Benue, Gives Reason

The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State has closed more than 15 parishes due to ongoing attacks by suspected armed herders that have devastated local communities. This was confirmed on Sunday during a press briefing at the Catholic Cathedral in Makurdi by Rev. Fr Joseph Beba, Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese.

Fr Beba stated that communities including Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana have faced relentless violence in recent weeks, resulting in the deaths of over 50 residents, among them women and children. According to him, entire communities have been displaced, forcing both priests and parishioners to flee.

“These are not isolated incidents,” Fr Beba warned, adding that the attacks intensified after Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, testified before audiences in the United States and Europe about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. He described the attacks as a retaliatory response to the bishop’s testimony. “The Church is under siege,” he said.

The priest criticized the Nigerian military for what he described as a failure to act, citing an incident on May 24 where Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo was attacked just 3 kilometers from Naka and less than 500 meters from a military checkpoint at Tse Orbiam. “There was no intervention,” he said.

Fr Beba called on President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to declare war on the armed herders. He also reminded the public that Governor Alia had previously stated the assailants were non-Nigerians. Urging vigilance and self-defence, Fr Beba appealed to youths to be ready to protect their communities, their land, and their faith.