The Pathfinders Arewa Project has strongly opposed the recent call by Catholic Bishops for President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Benue State over security concerns, warning that such action could exacerbate tensions in Nigeria's diverse society.
In a statement issued by the northern advocacy group's chairman, Abdulhamid Abdullahi Jakadan, the organization acknowledged the legitimate concerns about persistent insecurity and loss of lives in Benue but criticized the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for what it described as a misleading narrative.
"While we share the pain of affected communities and support all efforts to bring peace and justice, portraying the crisis solely through a religious or ethnic framework is dangerous and misleading," Jakadan stated.
Root Causes Beyond Religion
According to the Arewa group, the security challenges in Benue stem from complex factors including long-standing land disputes, environmental degradation, and inadequate conflict resolution mechanisms—rather than religious persecution or an Islamisation agenda as suggested by some quarters.
The group emphasized that both Christians and Muslims have suffered violence across multiple states including Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, and Plateau, urging the Bishops to consider the broader national security context.
"The claim of an Islamisation campaign in Nigeria is unfounded and dangerous. Nigeria is a secular state with constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom. Such claims, especially when echoed in foreign forums, risk damaging national unity and distorting global understanding of our situation," the statement continued.
Questions of Consistency
The Pathfinders Arewa Project questioned the selective nature of the call for emergency measures, noting: "If a State of Emergency was not declared in Zamfara or Katsina—where hundreds have been killed or abducted—why should it be considered for Benue? Such selective advocacy raises concerns about partisanship."
BenriNews recalls that the Catholic Bishops had recently urged President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Benue following a series of deadly attacks in the state.
Call for Responsible Leadership
The northern group cautioned religious leaders against becoming political tools, particularly for actors allegedly seeking to undermine state leadership. Instead, they advocated for enhanced security infrastructure, strengthened local conflict resolution mechanisms, and inclusive dialogue across ethnic and religious divides.
"Justice must always be pursued, but with truth, restraint, and responsibility. The CBCN should be a force for unity, not division," the group concluded.
