After Armed Fulani Militias Destroy Church, Priests’ Association in Nigerian Diocese Calls for Government Action

“The malevolent attack left in its wake the desecration and destruction of the Parish Church, the destruction of the Parish Secretariat, the burning to ashes of the Father’s House, destruction of household items, pastoral logistics, and vehicles in addition to many other valuable items,” NCDPA members ministering in Katsina-Ala Diocese lament.

They note that at the moment, the entire Agu Centre community has been deserted by the locals for fear of more attacks.

The Catholic Priests further say, “Aye-Twar is only one out of innumerable communities that are currently under a sustained invasion by dangerously armed Fulani terrorists.”

They “vehemently” denounce the alarming and brutal assaults carried out by the heavily armed Fulani militia groups without any intervention by either the government or security agencies.

“This genocidal occurrence not only represents an attack against the Church and the Diocese of Katsina-Ala in particular, but a direct assault on government at all levels, the security operatives, the traditional institutions, and indeed all stakeholders,” NCDPA members further say.

They note that the violence has gone beyond what is often described as “farmer-herder conflicts,” calling it a “premeditated and coordinated effort aimed at territorial domination.”

The attackers, they say, operate from neighbouring Taraba State, retreating to known hideouts without intervention from government or security agencies.

Call for Justice and Action

NCDPA members urge the government at all levels to “take urgent steps to rebuild and pay restitution for damages to St. Paul’s Parish, Aye-Twar, and to ensure the security of people and lands in Benue State.”

They call for a “joint investigation by the governments of Benue and Taraba States to bring perpetrators to justice, for security agencies to act without compromise, and for the international community to take note of what they described as recurrent acts of religious persecution.”

NCDPA members further demand the “safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral lands and the provision of adequate security, including establishing police or army posts in Aye-Twar and improving access roads to facilitate rapid response to security threats.”

Commitment to Peace

NCDPA members ministering Katsina-Ala Diocese reaffirm the Church’s role in promoting peace, justice, and religious tolerance despite being targeted by armed groups. 

“The Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala has continued to be the vanguard for an end to all internal and external violence and conflicts, and also occupies a leading role in the gradual return of peace in Sankera,” they say.

They emphasize that the Church cannot be overcome by evil, and add, “The physical structures may be burnt down, but the raging fires will only refine the Church. The faith we profess is alive in our hearts and can never be destroyed by fire or violence.”

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The NCDPA members added, “Together, let us endeavor to cultivate a society where every individual can thrive without the looming threat of violence or persecution.”

They express solidarity with their Local Ordinary, Bishop Isaac Bundepuun Dugu, commending his peace initiatives in the conflict-affected Sankera region.

The Priests call on all Parishes and Catholic institutions in the Diocese to “dedicate at least Nine (9) days for prayer and fasting; for the healing and the restoration of peace in our land. Indeed, our hope in God will not disappoint us.”

They also enjoin “all Catholics over the world and all men and women of goodwill to journey with us in prayer and to collaborate with Katsina-Ala Diocese in achieving her peace initiatives.”

“May Our Mother of Perpetual Help and the Queen of Peace continue to intercede for us,” CDPA members ministering in Katsina-Ala Diocese implore.