Nigeria: Catholic Priests Sound Alarm as Islamic Extremists Kill 50 and Force Closure of 15 Churches

Image: Jihad Watch

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA) of the Makurdi Diocese has sounded a grave alarm concerning the persistent and brutal attacks by armed herdsmen targeting communities in Benue State. Over the past month alone, more than 50 innocent lives have been lost, and the violence has forced the closure of 15 Catholic parishes, severely disrupting religious and community life.

At a press conference held on Sunday, Revd. Fr. Joseph Beba, Chairman of the NCDPA in Makurdi Diocese, condemned the ongoing violence in the strongest terms, labeling it as a deliberate and well-orchestrated campaign aimed at eradicating the Tiv ethnic group. Fr. Beba expressed deep frustration with the apparent lack of response from security agencies, particularly the military personnel deployed in these regions, accusing them of tacit complicity or outright negligence.

“The impact has been devastating not only on the local population but also on the clergy,” Fr. Beba stated. “The closure of 15 parishes is a clear indicator of how the violence has paralyzed spiritual life and community cohesion in Makurdi Diocese.” He further lamented the military’s silence, describing it as a betrayal of their duty to protect civilians, especially when attacks occur within close proximity to military checkpoints.

Among the violent incidents reported, one stands out starkly—the shooting of Revd. Fr. Solomon Atongo, the priest overseeing St. John’s Quasi Parish in Jimba. Disturbingly, Fr. Atongo was shot a mere 500 meters away from a military outpost at Tse Orbiam, yet no intervention occurred to prevent or stop the attack. This chilling detail underscores the community’s sense of abandonment and vulnerability. The affected communities extend beyond Jimba to include Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana — all within the diocesan boundaries of Makurdi. Tragically, the assaults have not spared women, children, or even pregnant women, painting a grim picture of indiscriminate violence.

The priests described these attacks as not only violent but profoundly inhumane and barbaric acts that violate the fundamental sanctity and dignity of human life. Moreover, they posited that the spate of violence might be a retaliatory reaction linked to Bishop Wilfred Anagbe’s recent public testimonies in the United States and Europe, where he highlighted the persecution of Christians across Nigeria. The attacks, in this light, appear to be targeted assaults against the Catholic Church and its leadership. In fact, Bishop Anagbe’s home village of Aondoana itself came under attack on May 25, forcing clergy and nuns to flee into the bush to escape harm.

The priests voiced a growing sense of abandonment and despair as neither the federal nor the state government has adequately reached out to the victims or offered any meaningful solidarity. Despite the displacement of thousands and repeated assaults on religious leaders, there remains an eerie silence from authorities expected to safeguard their citizens.

“We are left questioning where the military’s allegiance truly lies,” the priests lamented. “Their conduct raises alarming suspicions of complicity or willful neglect.” This mistrust is exacerbated by the increasingly perilous conditions on key routes such as the Naka-Makurdi and Taraku-Naka roads, which have become hotspots for attacks and ambushes, further isolating vulnerable communities.

This situation reflects a broader crisis in parts of Nigeria, where ethnic and communal violence, often fueled by competition over land and resources, has escalated into cycles of retaliatory killings and terror. The herdsmen involved are often linked to nomadic Fulani groups, who have clashed repeatedly with sedentary farming communities like the Tiv. This conflict has complex roots in environmental pressures, population growth, and historical grievances, yet the resulting violence severely undermines peace, security, and development in affected regions.

Furthermore, the apparent inaction or even complicity of security forces in protecting vulnerable civilians raises critical concerns about governance, rule of law, and human rights in Nigeria. The international community and human rights organizations have frequently called for thorough investigations and protective measures to prevent further atrocities and hold perpetrators accountable.

In sum, the current crisis in Benue State, as highlighted by the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, is not merely a localized security issue but a reflection of deeper systemic challenges. The attacks have devastated communities, disrupted religious life, and exposed troubling gaps in state protection, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated and transparent action to restore peace and justice.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)