Priests of Wukari Diocese have lamented the destruction of Church property in two parishes worth over N100 million in Adu and Atav communities in Takum Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, North-Eastern Nigeria, by suspected Fulani militia.
In an exclusive interview, two Catholic priests told Advocatus Africa that St. James’ the Great Church, Adu and St. Mary’s Pastoral Area Atav Church, worth over N70 million and N30 million respectively, have been destroyed by Fulani militia.
St. James’ the Great Parish, Adu from Beauty to Ashes
Fr. Anthony Odey narrated that “since the end of last year, Fulani militia have been attacking communities in Amadu community, where a priest of Jalingo Diocese, Fr. David Tanko, was killed.”
Fr. Tanko, 42, who was the parish priest of St. Peter’s Amadu in Takum LGA of Taraba State, was killed on Wednesday, 28 August 2019, by unknown gunmen while on a peace mission.
Odey, who is currently undertaking a Baccalaureate in School Pedagogy at the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome, disclosed that “villages around Takum, through new Gboko down to Amadu, right into the bush – Demevar and Adu axis have been ravaged by Fulani militia.”
Sacrilegious attack, large-scale displacements
Further narrating his ordeal, the priest, who was ordained 13 years ago, stated that, “When they came to attack the Adu village, the residents ran for safety, while others were killed; some were also left with serious injuries.
“At St. James’ the Great Parish Adu, they burnt down all the structures I built – the rectory, the boys’ quarters, the office complex, the old church, the Marian grotto, parts of the new Church, and the large crucifix, which was commissioned on 27 October 2023 to mark my 10th Anniversary.”
12-foot crucifix, erected by Fr. Anthony Odey at Adu Parish and commissioned on 27 October 2023 to mark his 10th Priestly Anniversary, destroyed
He had erected a 12-foot crucifix, convinced that “it would become a pilgrimage center and put an end to the intractable decades-long Tiv-Jukun tribal war.”
He told La Croix International that, “Peace is what we have always prayed for and with the crucifix, we believe that Jesus will speak to his people since he is the Prince of Peace.”
Speaking further, Fr. Odey noted that “I started the place and worked there for 7 years. A car belonging to one of the displaced parishioners who ran for safety was burnt, as well as other valuables in the church and house belonging to the people who ran to the parish for safety.
“They set the new church on fire, but it was not entirely engulfed. They also destroyed the windows, the POP, the marble altar, the sanctuary, and the mobile lectern.”
He disclosed that the parish priest, Fr. Joseph Zirra and the locals had vacated Adu village since January, and those who went back were killed.”
Fr. Odey, when the rectory was being built and the destroyed structure
The priest of Wukari Diocese also decried that “The Fulani have taken over the region from around Takum to parts of Dunga Local Government, displacing dozens of people.”
Priests, parishioners sacked across 9 Parishes
Fr. Odey listed the affected parishes as St. Peter’s Tor Damisa, where 3 policemen were killed on 17 March in exchange of fire with the Fulani, St. Joseph’s Demevar, where the roof was burnt, windows destroyed and furniture burnt.
He reported that while St. Peter’s New Gboko was destroyed, St. Augustine’s Usoh suffered a burnt roof, shattered windows, and damaged furniture. At St. Jude’s Ansua, the ceiling was compromised and windows were partially destroyed, while St. Stephen’s Ukande was completely demolished.
At St. Mary’s Parish Atav, the roof was burnt and the windows were damaged; similarly, at St. John the Baptist Afogba and St. James the Great Adu, the roofs were burnt, windows were shattered, and furniture was also destroyed.
Apart from the estimates of the destruction in Adu and Atav parishes, the diocese has yet to release the official estimated value of all the property destroyed in these parishes.
Victims of Boko Haram Attacks in Amadu receiving food supplies from Equipping the Persecuted Church. Credit: Mike Odey James
The 39-year-old priest stated that “When the soldiers intervened following an intel that there would be planned attacks in various Southern Taraba communities, they pushed the Fulani into the bush.
“They told the locals who were taking refuge in Chanchangji, the only standing community, to go back home and get food. It was then that they discovered that the Church and other adjoining structures had already been destroyed.”
Sharing how he feels about the carnage, the priest said, “I have been heartbroken and I have lost concentration in my studies since I heard the news. This is because it is a community we built from scratch since I was the first priest to be appointed there as a pastoral area.”
Call for the provision of adequate security, commiseration
In a similar account, the Justice Development and Peace (JDPC) Coordinator of Wukari Diocese, Fr. Augustine Chifu, disclosed that, “What we are going through is coordinated attacks by Fulani ethnic militia. They come and attack the community, displace the people and take over the land.”
According to Fr. Chifu, “At St. Mary’s Pastoral Area Atav, where I was appointed as a pioneer priest-in-charge, and reported on 20 April 2024, the people have been sacked. I was displaced on 15 February when I offered the last Holy Mass. I had spent over N30 million on the rectory; what was left was finishing the house. They broke the windows and set the house ablaze.”
Rectory of St. Mary’s Pastoral Area Atav destroyed by the Fulani militia
The priest, who is known for offering humanitarian aid support to displaced persons at the instance of the Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Mark Maigida Nzukein, narrated that “I got a security escort to go and see the place to take pictures and videos of the destruction. We saw that the Fulani had taken over the community and were openly grazing in the community.”
He also disclosed that the militia “destroyed the switch to the borehole and powerhouse pipes supplying water around the parish centre.”
On calls to restore peace and order, the clergyman maintained that “We appreciate the government for deploying security on the main raid from Rafin Kada to Takum,” but added that, “We call them to also send security to the hinterland where this carnage is taking place.”
In a passionate message to the people of God in Wukari Diocese, Fr. Odey said, “I sympathise with my Bishop at this most trying period of his episcopate, that he has lost half of his diocese to persistent atrocities. Recently, he lost his cathedral to a fire outbreak. As a new diocese of at least 3 years, we encourage him and pray for him to be strong and to strengthen his flock.”
Damaged parts of the newly built St. James’ Church, Adu
To the priests, religious and members of the laity, he said, “Our faith teaches us that we are the Church, not the structures. As such, our faith must continue to be strong because with God on our side, all hope is not lost.”
He reminded “the government and indeed all people of good conscience that every life is sacred and must be protected regardless of tribe, religion or political affiliation,” stressing that “If they cannot provide basic amenities for us, they should allow us to develop ourselves and our communities.”
Diocesan officials are calling for urgent assistance from all people of goodwill to assist the baby diocese in catering to the needs of dozens of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rebuilding structures destroyed by the Fulani militia.
