(ZENIT News / Gboko, Nigeria, 03.02.2025).- Dozens of Christians were killed around Christmas time in Nigeria, especially in Benue State. The news of the massacre came recently to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN, from reports received by the local Church. This evidences the lack of coverage by the international media of these types of attacks in Nigeria. According to the diocese of Gboko, which includes part of the State of Benue, the most lethal attack took place in Anwase on Christmas Day. At least 47 adults and children were killed.
Parishes, Houses and Schools Engulfed in Flames
Father Isaiah Ter, Executive Director of Caritas in the diocese of Gboko told ACN that, in addition to the human losses, the attackers sowed destruction. “They burnt the eight Catholic churches belonging to Saint Mary’s parish, including the parish house, clinics, schools and other houses.” “The parish priest and Vicar escaped and stayed on the hill the whole day before finally being rescued,” stated the diocese in a report sent to ACN.
Benue State is located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region that divides the South, mainly Christian, and the North, mainly Muslim. This area has been the scene of numerous conflicts over the last decades, driven by various factors, among them Fulani herdsmen, generally Muslims. Over the last years, these conflicts have become more lethal for Christians due to the possession of automatic weapons by the Fulani herdsmen. The role of religion in these incidents isn’t clear, although it is feared that the traditional ethnic and territorial disputes are used as weapons for extremist Islamist Movements.
The diocese of Gboko has suffered many attacks of this kind over the last decade, resulting in the destruction of over 20 communities and 32 churches. In incidents between January and November of 2024, some 100 people were killed, and the situation has caused a massive increase in the number of internally displaced people. With the attack perpetrated over Christmas, the number of mortal victims has risen to almost 150.
The most recent attack resulted in at least 6,800 new internally displaced people, reaching a total of 14,633 in the region. The diocese is helping those affected to survive and has contacted ACN, which has already offered emergency aid. During the Christmas Season there were also attacks in the diocese of Makurdi, located in Benue and Plateau States, both in the country’s Middle Belt.
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has asked the government repeatedly to reinforce security. It has also requested firmer action to halt the terrorist attacks and the conflicts between the different communities. However, crime continues to spread in the country.