KATSINA-ALA, Nigeria — A recent assault has devastated the Agu Centre community, leaving many residents fleeing in fear while their homes and places of worship lay in ruins. Members of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA) report extensive damage, including the destruction of the Parish Church and the Father’s House, alongside widespread loss of vehicles and essential goods.
According to NCDPA officials, the violence has not only targeted their facilities but has marked an intensified wave of attacks impacting numerous communities across the region. They argued that the situation has evolved into a grave threat beyond mere disputes over land, asserting that it reflects a calculated effort to assert territorial control by heavily armed groups.
Residents and church leaders express deep concerns about their safety as ongoing attacks by militants, identified as members of armed Fulani groups, go unchallenged by authorities. The NCDPA has condemned what they describe as brutal and relentless actions, highlighting the lack of adequate response from both governmental and security bodies tasked with protecting the community.
“This violence is not merely an affront to the Church but strikes at the heart of governance and security in our region,” an NCDPA spokesperson stated. The priests contend that the attacks mark a disturbing trend of religious persecution that must be addressed urgently.
The association underscored that these assaults are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader pattern of conflict affecting many areas in Benue and Taraba states. They mentioned that attackers reportedly move back and forth from neighboring territories, suggesting a coalescence of resources and strategies aimed at perpetuating violence.
Facing this ongoing turmoil, the NCDPA members are calling for immediate action from local and national leaders. They advocate for rebuilding efforts, emphasizing the necessity for the government to provide restitution for damages incurred during the assaults on facilities like St. Paul’s Parish in Aye-Twar.
Additionally, they demand a thorough investigation involving both Benue and Taraba state governments to hold perpetrators accountable. The priests have also appealed for enhanced security measures to protect civilians and the integrity of their lands, urging international observers to recognize these alarming trends of systematic violence and marginalization.
As lives are disrupted and communities are left vulnerable, the push for justice and proactive measures continues to grow among those afflicted by the ongoing unrest.