News Editor
-
says over 50 killed, 15 parishes affected in Makurdi Diocese
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, has condemned attacks on priests and innocent people in Benue State with a call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare total war against terrorists who have besieged the State and Nigeria at large.
The Chairman of NCDPA Makurdi Diocese, Revd Fr. Joseph Beba, made this call while addressing newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday, in response to the recent gruesome attacks on Christians in the state including Revd Fr. Solomon Atongo, the priest in charge of St John’s Quasi Parish Jimba.
Rev Beba, who conveyed NCDPA condemnation of the attacks also kicked against the coordinated violence unleashed on the communities of Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata and Abegana.
He disclosed that while more than 50 people were left dead including women and children, over 15 parishes have been affected and shut over the attacks in Makurdi Diocese in the last one month.
The priests described the acts as inhumane, barbaric, and a gross violation of the sanctity and dignity of human life and called on the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to use the overwhelming mandate he received from the masses and stop the ethnic cleansing of Tiv people by these terrorists’ herdsmen.
They cautioned that “Failure to be decisive in coordinating and directly confronting these terrorists and their masterminders to bring to an end the persistent bloodshed and injustice on his weak and defenseless masses in the villages, would be seen as indifference or insensitivity and “to be silent is to die twice.” His victory is our victory, and his failure is our failure; that is why we make bold to advice.”
They also expressed dismay over the low energy displayed by the Nigerian army stationed at some of the affected areas and their inability to stop the attacks or go after the terrorists saying their acts betrays professionalism speaks complicity.
They said the attack and shooting of Revd Fr. Solomon Atongo on the 24th May 2025 took place 3 Kilometers away from Naka, and less than 500meters away from the army check point at Tse Orbiam without any help or intervention from the army despite several cries for help from the villagers.
The also “These attacks are a direct attack on Bishop 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.
“This is a proof beyond doubts. Ahume and Jimba communities were attacked the following day, 25th May. Later in the evening, Aondoana village, the hometown of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Most Revd Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe was also invaded.
“The priest in charge of the mission at Aondoana, Revd Fr. Peter Shima, VC and the Claretian Sisters had to run into the bush for safety; they are yet to recover from the trauma.Many people, including a two-year-old and a pregnant woman, were gruesomely murdered.
“The attacks continued on 26th May at Nagi Camp, just five kilometers from a Nigerian Army base in Agagbe. This time too, there was no response from the army. All of these are in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
“Late in the night of 26th May, another devastating attack was unleashed on Yelwata Community of Guma Local Government area of Benue State by these same herders, resulting in the death of three members of one family and several others injured and displaced, including the priest in charge of the Mission in the area, Rev Fr Jonathan Ukuma, bringing the total to three in a roll of Catholic Priests in Makurdi Diocese who had to escape assassination attempts by these herdsmen terrorists in just three days.
“Apart from the displacement of Ayar Mbalom Community of Gwer East Local Government on the 29th April, 2025 which saw the priest in charge, Rev Fr Felix Nyinya running for his life. In all of these, there has not been any decisive intervention.
“The Naka-Makurdi Road is practically no longer passable, as declared by the Gwer West Local Government chairman; and from Taraku to Naka is not safe either. As we speak, the people of Gwer West Local Government Area are dangerously encamped in Naka. Even with the presence of the army in Naka, the vulnerable people are not free, we are not exactly sure of what their mission is, and on whose side, they really are, given the antecedents above.
They lamented that despite the scale of violence, deaths and displacement of people from their ancestral homes by the terrorists, no arrests have been made, just as no delegation from the government have visited to offer hope, consolation and show concern and solidarity; “not even the Catholic Bishop whose village and priests were attacked and shot by these Marauders has been visited.
“This attitude raises grave suspicious concerns about complicity and abandonment.
“We, therefore urge the Nigerian security agencies, especially the military, to be consciously and deliberately professional and patriotic in the discharge of their duties across Nigeria. The same level of efficiency, swiftness and vigilance the army often display during general elections must be applied to protecting lives and communities in Benue and across Nigeria.
“We therefore urge the Nigerian security agencies, especially the military, to be consciously and deliberately professional and patriotic in the discharge of their duties across Nigeria. The same level of efficiency, swiftness and vigilance the army often display during general elections must be applied to protecting lives and communities in Benue and across Nigeria.
“We are firmly committed to the truths of the gospel and shall do everything possible and necessary within the ambit of the law to resist any form of intimidation and threats to silence those speaking truth to power.”
The priests also called on the youth to be prepared to defend their faith, their farmlands and their way of life adding that “In these trying times however, we entrust our people and land to the mercy of God while calling on all faithful to remain steadfast in prayer, courageous in truth, and unwavering in hope.
In his contribution, the Vice President of Diocesan Laity Council, Mr Callistus Ogboho expressed worry that for over 10 years, killings and displacements of both priests and innocent residents have continued unabated. He called on the federal and state government to act swiftly in safeguarding lives and properties of the people before the brewing anger over boils.
