Over 15 Catholic Parishes Closed amid Cries to End Violence against Christians in Nigeria

Bishop Anagbe 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 Church leader said.

He said authorities in Nigeria should “do the needful”, 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.”

The Nigerian 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,” the Catholic Bishop said.

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Bishop Anagbe also blamed the food insecurity currently being experienced in Africa’s most populous nation on the failure of the government to provide a secure environment for farmers to go back to their farms and to 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 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.”

Bishop Anagbe expressed frustration at what he described as a lack of decisive action from the government, saying, “The protection of lives and properties is in the hands of the government, yet this responsibility has been neglected.”

He argued 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,” Bishop Anagbe said.

The 59-year-old Catholic Bishop 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.

Bishop 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.

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Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.