Church leaders in Benue State, central Nigeria, have provided testimony to an international team on a fact-finding mission regarding the atrocities committed against Christians in the state, urging collective action to end the menace.
The Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Apochi, gave a detailed and reflective intervention by providing a historical and contextual explanation of the crisis affecting Benue communities during the meeting, which was held on Saturday, 23rd May 2026, at the Bishop’s House, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Makurdi.
“Entire indigenous communities have been repeatedly attacked, displaced…”
Since it was part of ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian and security challenges facing communities across the Benue Valley, Bishop Apochi lamented that “entire indigenous communities have been repeatedly attacked, displaced from ancestral lands, and left vulnerable without adequate protection.”
He clarified that “the violence initially emerged as what was commonly described as ‘farmer-herder clashes’” adding that as things stand now, “the situation has significantly evolved beyond isolated communal conflicts.”
According to him, “the crisis has now degenerated into what can more accurately be described as ethnic cleansing and systematic land grabbing.”
Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Apochi, during his insightful presentation.
The Catholic Church plays humanitarian/Advocacy roles despite enormous challenges
When asked about the role of the Church in addressing the crisis, Bishop Apochi explained that “the Catholic Church has continued to play both humanitarian and advocacy roles despite enormous challenges.
“The Church has consistently been crying out to the international community, humanitarian organisations, and well-meaning individuals for urgent assistance and intervention.
The 65-year-old prelate underscored that “the scale of displacement, destruction, and human suffering has exceeded the capacity of local institutions alone.”
There is an urgent need for collaborative action to address the plight of IPDs
Earlier in his opening remarks, the convener and Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF, “emphasised the urgent need for collaborative action in addressing the suffering of displaced persons and communities ravaged by violence.”
JDCP Coordinator and Executive Director, Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ejeh (Esq.), Bishop Michael Apochi, Bishop Wilfred Angabe, CMF and one of the American visitors.
Bishop Anagbe welcomed all participants and “expressed gratitude for the presence of the international visitors and various diocesan coordinators.”
On their part, the two American visitors expressed solidarity with affected communities and commended the Church and humanitarian agencies for their continued commitment to supporting displaced persons despite difficult conditions.
Advocatus Africa gathered that the presence of the international visitors provided an avenue for creating greater global awareness of the realities facing communities in Benue State.
“The engagement was organised to deliberate on the worsening condition of IDPs.”
Organisers told Advocatus Africa that “The engagement was organised to deliberate on the worsening condition of IDPs within Benue State, evaluate current realities on the ground, and explore pathways toward durable peace, justice, rehabilitation, and humanitarian support for affected communities.”
Participants after the meeting with the American visitors.
They noted that “The meeting also served as an opportunity for stakeholders to share firsthand experiences, field reports, policy concerns, and recommendations aimed at strengthening both pastoral and humanitarian responses to the ongoing crisis.
Participants pledged to “a collective will to advocate for peace, justice…”
The event brought together religious leaders, notably the Archbishop Emeritus of the Makurdi Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nyom, development coordinators, humanitarian actors, and international visitors united by a shared concern for the welfare, dignity, and future of displaced people affected by the persistent violence in Benue State and surrounding areas.
Also present were the coordinators of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) from Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko, Katsina-Ala, and Lafia Catholic Dioceses, as well as representatives from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Abuja.
The bishops, CSN officials, priests and visitors pledged to a reflective and hopeful reaffirmation of “a collective will to advocate for peace, justice, protection, and sustainable solutions for IDPs in Benue State and beyond.”
Editor’s Note: All photos are courtesy of Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ejeh (Esq.).
