At Least 65 Christians Killed in Nigeria’s Benue State in Last Two Months: Catholic Bishop

“At the heart of the problem are persistent attacks by terrorists from the Fulani tribe, who are mostly Muslim, against predominantly Christian farming communities in the central region of Nigeria,” the Nigerian Catholic Bishop says.

The reasons for the attacks “are complex”, he says, and adds, “Conflicts between nomadic herders and settled farmers date back centuries, but the influx of high-grade firearms over the past several years has made the attacks much more deadly and destructive.”

The member of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians – CMF) says, “The religious dimension aggravates the situation in a country evenly divided between a majority Christian south and a mostly Muslim north, with most of the clashes taking place in the central region, which also possesses the most fertile land.”

According to Bishop Anagbe, “The terrorists disguise themselves as nomadic herdsmen to cover the true intent of their attacks, which is to drive Christians from their lands.”

This situation has caused “unbearable severe food shortages”, he says, and explains, “Benue State is known to be the food basket of the nation but the terrorism has affected the food supply situation.” 

As a result, Bishop Anagbe says, “Farmers who could usually support themselves and their families are now having to survive on charity.”

“The situation of want has reduced many to a condition unworthy of human dignity, often relying on food rations contributed by others whose economic condition is not better off in any way,” the Bishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in October 2014 as Coadjutor Bishop of Makurdi Diocese adds.

He further says that the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi houses “over 80 percent” of the quoted 1.5 million displaced persons in Benue State.

Despite financial challenges, the Bishop who has been at the helm of Makurdi Diocese since March 2015 says, “The local Church has done its best to relieve suffering and need, providing food assistance and essential goods.”

“Recently, the Justice, Development and Peace Commission distributed food and clothing to over 1,800 people in one camp alone,” he says, and adds, “The Diocese also provides scholarships to dozens of displaced children, so that they do not miss out on the opportunity for an education.”

The instability of the region makes it difficult at times to carry out pastoral activities, Bishop Anagbe says, and continues, “For some years now I have not been able to carry out pastoral activities in parts of my diocese.”

“Alongside all of the above initiatives, we have not forgotten the pastoral care that these persons deserve,” he says. 

“There is a parish in some of the settlement areas that caters to the spiritual needs of the IDPs,” Bishop Anagbe says, adding that he is still hoping to purchase a mobile clinic to help address the health and psycho-social needs of the displaced.

In the July 19 report, ACN officials say, “The problems with Fulani herdsmen, armed groups and Islamic extremists in Nigeria have been going on for several years, but the Church has complained that Government inaction has made the situation worse.”

According to Bishop Anagbe, “the scale of killings, displacement and wanton destruction of property by these Fulani jihadist militia only buttresses the now revealed agenda to depopulate Christian communities in Nigeria and take over lands.”

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He blames the situation on the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, saying, “Tellingly, the government in power in Nigeria at the moment continues to do nothing about these persistent attacks, save to give laughable reasons like ‘climate change’ or that some Muslims too are sometimes killed in attacks by so-called bandits.”

Bishop Anagbe acknowledges with appreciation the support his Episcopal See has received from ACN, which he describes as “a source of light in a valley of darkness”.

ACN continues to support the local Church, which suffers from poverty and from persecution in many parts of the country. 

The July 19 report indicates that in 2021, ACN financed 105 projects in different fields in Nigeria. 

ACN has also provided a platform of information about the suffering of Christians and helps local Church authorities to speak out at international events on issues such as religious freedom and Christian persecution.