At least 68 Christians have been killed, with many more being abducted or displaced in the last two months, in Central Nigeria's Benue State. 

Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) have been sent a report by Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, of Makurdi diocese in Benue State highlighting the scale of the problem. 

It has also criticised the government inaction in the face of attacks by Islamist Fulani herdsmen.

Rt Rev Anagbe said: "The scale of killings, displacement and wanton destruction of property by these Fulani jihadist militia only buttresses the now revealed agenda to depopulate Christian communities in Nigeria and take over lands. 

"Tellingly, the government in power in Nigeria at the moment, continues to do nothing about these persistent attacks, save to give laughable reasons like 'climate change' or that some Muslims too are sometimes killed in attacks by so-called bandits."

According to the bishop, Fulani fighters disguise themselves as nomadic herdsmen and the regular raids in Benue State have caused "unbearable severe food shortages."

He continued: "The situation of want has reduced many to a condition unworthy of human dignity, often relying on food rations contributed by others whose economic condition is not better off in any way."

Nearly 80 per cent of displaced people from Benue are in the capital, Makurdi, and the Church is providing emergency and spiritual support.  

There are 36 states in Nigeria and killings are vast in other states too, as is the Middle Belt of Nigeria, where thousands are displaced and persecuted for their faith there too.