The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Benue State has announced the closure of 15 parishes due to ongoing insecurity and deadly attacks in the region.
This drastic measure comes after a series of violent incidents, including the recent killing of a priest and several parishioners.
Reverend Fr. Joseph Baba, the Chairman of Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, stated that the decision was made to protect the lives of clergy and congregants who have been targeted in increasingly frequent assaults. The affected parishes are primarily located in rural areas that have borne the brunt of banditry and communal violence.
The priest listed the communities that had been attacked in just 2 weeks and they include Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Niga-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata and Abegana.
The closure of these churches highlights the severe impact of the security crisis on religious institutions and the wider community in Benue State. Many residents have been displaced from their homes, and economic activities have been disrupted.
The priest has called on both the federal and state governments to address the escalating violence and ensure the safety of its citizens. He also encouraged youths in the state “to be prepared to defend their faith, farmlands and their way of life.”
