Priest Alleges Military Complicity in Benue Violence
A Catholic priest in Benue State, Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, has accused the Nigerian military of aiding armed Fulani herdsmen in a brutal attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Ikobi, located in Apa Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, left the parish rectory burned to ashes, worship items looted, and dozens of residents displaced as they fled into the surrounding bushes to escape the violence.
Fr. Ihyula, who serves as Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, alleged that the armed attackers moved freely and operated in full view of military personnel, without any attempt to stop them.
“St. Paul’s Parish Ikobi, established in 2014, has been reduced to rubble. My life’s work has been destroyed,”
— Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula
Communities Living in Fear
The priest warned that no community in Apa LGA is safe, adding that the Church and humanitarian partners who have provided relief to displaced communities for years are now direct targets of escalating violence.
Human rights organization Intersociety has reported that more than 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone. The group warns that Christianity could face extinction in Nigeria if the killings are not urgently addressed.
The Larger Crisis in Benue
Benue State widely known as the "Food Basket of the Nation" has been a hotspot for violent herdsmen attacks for years. Villages have been destroyed, farmlands abandoned, and thousands forced into displacement camps.
Despite repeated pleas from victims, community leaders, and humanitarian groups, the Nigerian government’s response has been widely criticized as slow, ineffective, and, in some cases, complicit.
Why This Matters
This latest incident has reignited debates over security failures, ethnic tensions, and religious persecution in Nigeria. Analysts warn that without decisive government action, the situation in Benue and other affected states could spiral into a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.
Call to Action – Your Voice Matters
📢 Speak out before it’s too late!
Share this story to raise awareness about the ongoing killings in Benue and across Nigeria. Demand transparency and accountability from the Nigerian government and military. Support humanitarian organizations working on the ground to assist displaced families.
💬 What’s your take on the military’s alleged complicity in these attacks? Drop your opinion in the comments and join the conversation.
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