A wave of violence and killings by suspected armed herders in Benue State has forced the closure of no fewer than 15 Catholic parishes within the Makurdi Diocese, according to Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association in Makurdi.
Addressing journalists on Sunday at the Catholic Cathedral in Makurdi, Rev. Fr. Beba highlighted the dire consequences of the attacks, listing the communities recently targeted in the past two weeks as Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana. He reported that more than 50 people, including women and children, have been killed in the latest surge of violence.
Fr. Beba alleged that the increase in attacks in Gwer West Local Government Area and beyond was directly linked to the testimony given by the Makurdi Catholic bishop in the US and Europe, which he said shed light on the “systematic persecution of Christians in Benue and Nigeria.”
The priest criticized the Nigerian military and security forces deployed to the state, accusing them of inaction despite their proximity to the violence.
“More than 15 parishes have been shut down because the host communities have been sacked. Communities like Jiba, Mabalom Yelwata, and Aondona that were sacked by armed herders, the parishioners, and the priests are no longer there, all these are in Makurdi diocese,” he said.
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He continued, “We have observed with dismay the low energy displayed by our Nigerian army stationed at some of these affected areas. We also regret to say that their inability to stop the attacks or go after the terrorists betrays professionalism, and this speaks of complicity.”
Providing a specific example, Fr. Beba recounted, “The attack and shooting of Revd Fr. Solomon Atongo on the 24th May 2025 took place 3 Kilometers away from Naka, and less than 500 meters away from the army checkpoint at Tse Orbiam, and another one later, on the community itself without any help or intervention from the army despite several cries for help from the villagers.”
“These attacks are a direct attack on Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and the Catholic Church he represents. We believe they were coordinated in response to the bishop’s testimony in the US and Europe on the systematic persecution of Christians in Benue and Nigeria,” he said.
Fr. Beba called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to declare war on the armed herders, noting that the state governor has already identified the perpetrators as non-Nigerians. The priest also urged local youths to defend their communities and their faith.
He said, “The right to self-defence is an inalienable one for all citizens.”
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