A Nigerian bishop has condemned the ongoing mass killings of Christians by Islamist extremists and militant Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking at an event at parliament on Tuesday, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi, who is visiting the UK as a guest of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), described the devastation faced by church members in his diocese.
Bishop Wilfred, who represents Nigeria’s Middle Belt, says Islamist extremists and militant Fulani herdsmen are deliberately targeting Christians.
He told parliamentarians many in his community have been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing violence.
Homes have been burned down, and many are now living in internal displacement camps.
Bishop Wilfred highlighted that Christian communities in Benue State, which includes Makurdi, have suffered repeated attacks, with farmers driven from their land, churches destroyed, and both clergy and laypeople having lost their lives.
“The militant Fulani herdsmen descend on defenceless villagers without consequence,” he stated. “They act on orders to conquer, kill, and occupy. Even those who have managed to escape to displacement camps are not safe.”
Bishop Wilfred described the situation as one of “Islamist extermination” and criticised the Nigerian government’s inaction in addressing the violence.
“When we call for help from the police and the army, they do not come,” he said. “At the end of 2024, several villages received warnings of impending attacks. Their leaders alerted security forces in advance, yet no assistance arrived. The Christmas massacres went ahead as expected, killing hundreds in Plateau and Benue, with the deadliest attack claiming 47 lives.”
Bishop Wilfred urged the UK government to press Nigerian authorities for action and called for displaced persons to be returned to their ancestral homes while they begin to heal.
He also called for perpetrators to be held accountable and for full compensation to be paid to victims of religious persecution.
Dr Caroline Hull, ACN's national director for the UK, said: “His powerful testimony in Parliament today highlights the horror and suffering endured by Christians in Benue State.
"While ACN is providing support, the Nigerian government must take responsibility and uphold religious freedom in line with international law.”
Bishop Wilfred also called for Nigeria to be reinstated on the US Department of State’s list of ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ under the Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
The issue of Christian persecution is due to be debated in parliament next month and has been brought forward as an issue by Ruth Jones, the Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn.