By our reporter 1-6-2025
The Makurdi Catholic Diocese in Benue State said it has been forced to shut down 15 parishes following the incessant attacks on communities by suspected armed herders.
According to Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, who is the chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, the attacks have devastated the Benue State and the Church as a whole.
“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,” Father Beba said.
He added that the security forces had not help matters by not taking action against the attackers.
“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.
“The attack and shooting of Revd Fr. Solomon Atongo on May 24, 2025, took place 3 Kilometers away from Naka, and less than 500meters away from the army check point 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.
Hyacinth Alia...Benue Governor