Bishop in Nigeria Decries Militants' Tactic to Starve Villagers in Protracted Violence

The report shared by the Diocese covers the period between January 15 and February 9.

It captures 16 attacks that were reported in different places across the Nigerian State. A total of 51 people were killed, and “many others injured”, according to the report.

Most deaths were reported on January 19 in the Abagena community, Makurdi, where nine people were killed and scores injured.

Another eight people were killed when the attackers descended on the Ichembe community in Kwande Local Government Area on January 26.

A man identified as Moses Aza, who the Diocese of Makurdi says was a local church leader in the Tse Amee- Mbapa community in the Gwer West Local Government Area was killed by militias on January 18.

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In Agbanu village, along Naka-Agagbe Road Gwer West Local Government Area, one of the two people that were killed was Theophilus Terfa, a student at Benue State University.

In the Nzaav community in Kwande, a man identified as Terhemba Tsekena was abducted on January 25, tortured but later released.

Among the five people killed on January 31 in Unyo along the Naka-Makurdi road in Gwer West Local Government Area, was Abubakar Mahnud, an officer at Naka police divisional office. Two female traders were also killed in the attack.

The report indicates that “many were injured and displaced” on January 30 when militants attacked the Udei community in Guma Local Government Area, leaving two people dead.

The Nigerian Catholic Diocese shared with ACI Africa gory images of people that were killed by militants, as well as the houses that villages that were burnt down.

Appealing for prayers for the people of God suffering at the hands of militias in Africa’s most populous nation, Bishop Chikpa says, “May the Lord give heed to our prayers and come quickly to help us.”

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.