The Catholic Church has shut down more than 15 parishes under the Makurdi Diocese in Benue State following repeated deadly attacks by suspected armed herders on host communities.

Rev. Fr Joseph Beba, Chairman of the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, made this disclosure during a press briefing at the Catholic Cathedral in Makurdi on Sunday.

According to Fr Beba, the affected communities, including Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana, have experienced coordinated violence resulting in the deaths of over 50 residents, including women and children, within the past two weeks.

"More than 15 parishes have been shut down because their host communities have been completely displaced. In places like Jimba, Mbalom Yelwata, and Aondoana, both priests and parishioners have fled," he stated.

Alleged Retaliation for Bishop's Testimony

Fr Beba alleged that the recent escalation in violence, particularly in Gwer West Local Government Area, was a direct response to the testimony given by the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, in the United States and Europe regarding the persecution of Christians in Benue and Nigeria.

"These attacks are not random. They are a direct response to Bishop Anagbe's international testimony on the systematic persecution of Christians. The Church is under siege," Fr Beba declared.

Security Response Criticized

The NCDPA chairman criticized Nigerian security forces for what he described as inadequate response to the attacks, even when they occurred in close proximity to military checkpoints.

"We are dismayed by the low energy and response from security forces. The attack on Rev. Fr Solomon Atongo on May 24, 2025, happened just 3km from Naka and less than 500m from an army checkpoint at Tse Orbiam. There was no intervention," he lamented.

Fr Beba called on President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to declare war on the armed herders, noting that Governor Alia had previously identified the attackers as non-Nigerians.

In a controversial statement, he also urged youths to be vigilant and defend their communities: "The right to self-defence is inalienable. We call on our young people to be ready to defend their faith, their farmlands, and their way of life."

The situation highlights the ongoing security challenges in Benue State, where farmer-herder conflicts have resulted in numerous casualties and displacements over the years, with religious institutions now increasingly affected by the violence.