15 Catholic Parish Closed on the Benue amid attacks by armed shepherd

A wave of violence and murder by the alleged armed hesitation in the state of Benue has forced the closure of no less than 15 Catholic parishes in the Makurdi diocese, according to Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, Chair of the Nigerian Catholic Diocese Imam Association in Makurdi.

Speaking to journalists on Sundays in Catholic Cathedrals in Makurdi, Rev. Fr. Beba highlighted the terrible consequences of the attack, registering a community that was recently targeted in the last two weeks as Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana. He reported that more than 50 people, including women and children, had been killed in the latest surge of violence.

Fr. Beba accused that the increase in attacks in the territory of the West Gwer regional government and its surroundings was directly associated with the testimony given by the Makurdi Catholic Bishop in the US and Europe, which according to him explained “systematic persecution of Christians in Benue and Nigeria.”

The priest criticized the military and security forces of Nigeria who were deployed to the state, accused them of not acting despite their closeness to violence.

“More than 15 parishes have been closed because the host community has been fired. Communities such as Jiba, Mabalom Yelwata, and Aondona who were fired by armed herds, parishes, and priests were no longer there, all of this was diuskus Makurdi,” he said.

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He continued, “We have observed anxiously low energy displayed by our Nigerian army placed in several affected areas. We also regret saying that their inability to stop attacks or pursue terrorists betrayed professionalism, and this talks about involvement.”

Give specific examples, Fr. Beba told, “The attack and shooting of Revd Fr. Solomon Atongo on May 24, 2025 occurred 3 kilometers from Naka, and less than 500 meters from the Army Examination Post at TSE Orbiam, and another later, in the community itself without the help or intervention of the Army despite some crisis for help from criminals.

“These attacks are direct attacks on Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and the Catholic Church he represented. We believe they are coordinated in response to the testimony of the bishop in the US and Europe about the systematic persecution of Christians in Benue and Nigeria,” he said.

Fr. Beba asked President Tinubu and Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to declare the war on armed herds, noted that the state governor had identified the perpetrators as non-Nigerians. The priest also urged local youth to defend their community and faith.

He said, “The right to defend himself is something that cannot be revoked for all citizens.”