The Catholic Diocese of Wukari, north-eastern Nigeria, has drawn the attention of the world to the sacking of various communities by suspected Fulani militia while demanding the protection of thousands of citizens, and the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
This call, contained in a press briefing by the Catholic Diocese of Wukari on the incessant attacks, killings and displacement of farmers by suspected Fulani militia across Wukari diocese, southern Taraba, was held on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at the Catholic Secretariat, Jalingo.
Some of the displaced persons in Southern Taraba. Credit: Prof. Jerome Nyame
Over 80 people killed, 200 communities and Churches sacked, affecting 90,000 Catholics
The briefing obtained by Advocatus Africa reads in part, “More than 80 persons have been killed so far, several others injured with various degrees of injuries, while over 200 communities and Churches have been destroyed and the residents, numbering over 90,000 Catholics, displaced.”
In the statement jointly signed by the Vicar General Administration, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Bature, Vicar General Pastoral, Very Rev. Fr. James Yaro, Chairman of Priests Council, Very Rev. Fr. Moses Angyan and Justice Development and Peace Commission/Caritas Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Augustine Chifu, the Diocese maintained that “It has become expedient for us as a diocese to carry out this solidarity walk and to address you, Gentlemen of the Press, on the lingering and heartbreaking carnage that has been going on in Wukari Diocese, particularly Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, and parts of Ussa and Donga Local Government Areas in Southern Taraba since September 2025.”
In what it described as “our humble plea,” the diocese demanded that “As a matter of urgency, adequate security personnel should be mobilized and deployed to the hinterlands where this carnage is taking place unabated.”
The statement also emphasised that “The government at all levels must be deliberate in ensuring security guarantees and bringing enablers and perpetrators of these dastardly acts or heinous crimes against humanity to justice through their immediate arrest and prosecution, irrespective of their ethnic, political and religious affiliations.”
Children, victims of these attacks and violence. Credit: Prof. Jerome Nyame
On the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons, the Church insisted that the matter requires “immediate intervention by the government, humanitarian agencies at all levels, NGOs, philanthropists and people of goodwill. The urgent needs of the IDPs include, among other things, relief materials such as foodstuffs, beddings, toiletries, medical health care and temporary tents in order to guarantee their overall well-being so as to avert a major humanitarian disaster.”
Very Rev. Fr. Yaro, who read the statement, stressed that “It is also expedient for major key players such as the traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, local government chairmen, and other political leaders in the affected area to meet and engage sincerely in constructive dialogue aimed at fostering lasting peace and stability in the southern Taraba State region.
Meanwhile, the diocese lamented that “The suspected Fulani militia who carry out these attacks usually come in the wee hours, mostly while people are sleeping and launch the attacks, killing anyone in sight and setting houses and harvests ablaze.”
Houses in the region, set ablaze by suspected Fulani attackers. Credit: Prof. Jerome Nyame
Recalling the most recent attacks, it drew attention to the incident of “Mchia village in Chanchanji Ward on Tuesday 10 February 2026, precisely at 4.00am, where over ten people were killed and some houses destroyed.”
In part, the statement read: “The suspected Fulani militia have also taken over the entire farmlands of the people and would attack anybody who dares to visit his farm in an attempt to get food for his family.
“Some women have been raped in the process of doing so. There have been instances where they block the roads and kill unsuspecting and harmless farmers with impunity. Most recently the Fulani Militia have resorted to harvesting the farm produce of displaced communities and feeding same to their animals.
“The Fulani militia crisis situation in Southern Taraba State have lingered and continue to pose existential threat to life as well serious challenge to the growth of the Christian faith and infrastructural development of the area. This crisis does not only cost lives and property. It also greatly infringes on the religious freedom of Christians in the affected communities.”
The protesters noted that the Bishop, priests, religious and the laity of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari “are not discouraged, but convinced that with God on their side and with sustained prayers and collaborative efforts between the Church and the State, lasting peace can be achieved.”
The diocese appreciated the intervention of the Taraba State Government and security agencies “in tackling the ongoing security challenges in the State especially the timely intervention in Karim Lamido, Sarkin Kudu axis and Rafin Kada/Takum road axis,” but equally stressed that we “call for an extension of same timely intervention to address and put an end to the carnage that has been going on in Chanchanji Ward and other parts of Takum, Ussa and more recently, parts of Donga Local Government Areas in order to restore peace in the affected communities.”
Reiterating the commitment of the body Christ to peace, security and development, the Church pledged “to stop the violence and ameliorate the plight of the IDPs,” adding that “we equally acknowledge the fact that much more will be achieved if the government pays keen attention to the crisis and scales up her constitutional role to protect lives and property.
The diocese further committed to “relentless spiritual support to the government, the traditional rulers and security personnel for God’s continuous guidance and protection upon them as they carry out their constitutional and administrative responsibilities for the common good.
It warned that “If all these efforts fail and it seems that the State can no longer guarantee the security of lives and property of our people, we would have no option than to seek help from the International Community.”
Helpless women, affected by the attacks. Credit: Prof. Jerome Nyame
Praying for the southern and central parts of Taraba, where the Catholic Diocese of Wukari is situated, the state and the country, the diocese added, “our relentless spiritual support to the government, the traditional rulers and security personnel for God’s continuous guidance and protection upon them as they carry out their constitutional and administrative responsibilities for the common good.”
Since Wukari is a Local Government Area under Taraba State with Jalingo as the capital city, the protest is meant to draw the attention of the civil authorities (government) to act fast to save lives.
It also highlights the solidarity between the two dioceses since Wukari was created out of Jalingo Diocese by Pope Francis on 14 December 2022, with Most Rev. Mark Nzukwein, consecrated and installed on 13 April 2023 as the first Bishop.
