Over 15 Catholic parishes close amid ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria

ACI Africa, Nov 8, 2024 / 14:55 pm

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi in Nigeria has called for action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Benue State, which has led to the closure of over 15 parishes in his diocese.

In an interview with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, during the seventh International Theological Conference organized by the Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa, Anagbe urged the Nigerian government to prioritize security to restore hope and enable displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes. 

“Benue state is like the epicenter of what is happening. In my Diocese of Makurdi, I have lost about 14 to 15 parishes now,” the bishop said.

“When I mean parishes, some parishes have about 20 ‘outstations,’ some have about 15. It covers almost 20-25 kilometers. So, the demography of the state and the diocese is shrinking.”

Anagbe clarified that the closure of parishes owing to insecurity is also being witnessed in the Otukpo Diocese as well as in the Katsina-Ala Diocese. Both are located in embattled areas of Nigeria.

The bishop expressed concern about the constant reports of killings and kidnappings in the country, emphasizing the role of the Nigerian government to protect lives and property. 

“Every day we must hear about killings and kidnappings. And it is not for the people to defend themselves because the protection of lives and properties is in the hands of the government,” the Catholic leader explained.

He said authorities in Nigeria should “do the needful thing,” adding: “We have been plunged into untold hardship. It is not just Makurdi but the whole of this country. As you travel from any part of this country … until you arrive, you are not safe.”

Anagbe, a member of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), warned that the prolonged closure of schools in affected areas could create a generation of future bandits and terrorists.

“Schools in these areas have been closed down for over 10 years. What we are breeding now is a group of future bandits and terrorists in our villages because the children now have no education and no formation. The government must act now to prevent this ugly trend,” he said.

Anagbe also blamed the food insecurity currently being experienced in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, on the failure of the government to provide a secure environment for farmers to return to their farms and produce food.

“It’s for the government to take care of this insecurity so that our farmers can go back to their villages and farm. It’s not about sharing food items in the IDP [internally displaced persons] camps. No. We can do more,” he said.

“Our people are not beggars. They don’t ask for food. They produce their food and they are okay with it,” he said, adding that any government policy of food aid that does not return the displaced people back to their indigenous homes “will fail.”

Anagbe expressed frustration at what he described as a lack of decisive action from the government.

“The protection of lives and properties is in the hands of the government, yet this responsibility has been neglected,” he said, arguing that Nigeria’s capacity for peacekeeping in other nations — such as Sierra Leone and Liberia — demonstrates that the government could resolve the crisis if it chose to. 

“You can’t tell me these bandits are beyond the Nigerian army or the police,” Anagbe said.

The 59-year-old prelate also condemned leaders who, he believes, knowingly turn a blind eye to the criminal elements terrorizing the region.

“Some of our leaders consciously don’t want to mention these criminals,” he said, adding that banditry has become “one of the biggest industries” in Nigeria.

Anagbe urged Catholics and all Nigerians to remain hopeful, trusting in God’s justice.

“We shall continue to pray that God, at his appointed time, will send us a leader who will be able to liberate us. And people will regain their freedom and live happily in their communities devoid of banditry,” he said.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.