By Attah Ede, Makudi

The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese has raised the alarm over continued deadly attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue State, revealing that over 50 people have been killed and 15 Catholic parishes have been forced to shut down in just one month.

At a press conference yesterday, the Chairman of NCDPA in Makurdi Diocese, Rev Fr. Joseph Beba, condemned the wave of violence, describing it as a calculated and coordinated effort to wipe out Tiv communities.He accused security forces, particularly the military stationed in the affected areas, of complicity and inaction.“Among those affected are Catholic priests, and this has led to the closure of 15 parishes in Makurdi Diocese alone,” Fr. Beba said, decrying what he described as the military’s silence and passivity while communities were being attacked.The priests detailed a series of recent attacks, including the shooting of Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, the priest in charge of St. John’s Quasi Parish, Jimba. Fr. Atongo was reportedly shot just 500 meters from a military checkpoint at Tse Orbiam, with no response from the stationed personnel. The community itself was later attacked.Other communities listed as victims of the violence include; Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata and Abegana — all located within the Makurdi Diocese.According to the priests, these assaults have resulted in numerous deaths, including women, children, and even a pregnant woman.“These acts are inhumane, barbaric, and a gross violation of the sanctity and dignity of human life,” the priests stated. They further suggested that the attacks may be linked to Bishop Wilfred Anagbe’s recent testimonies in the U.S. and Europe about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.“These attacks are a direct assault on the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese and the Catholic Church he represents. They appear coordinated and retaliatory,” they said, adding that the bishop’s home village of Aondoana was also attacked on May 25, with clergy and nuns fleeing into the bush for safety.In yet another attack on May 26, terrorists invaded Nagi-Camp, only five kilometers from a Nigerian Army base in Agagbe, and still, there was no military intervention. The following night, Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area was attacked, with an entire family wiped out and Revd. Fr. Jonathan Ukuma narrowly escapes assassination.The priests lamented the growing sense of abandonment, noting that neither the federal nor state government had visited the victims or shown solidarity, even as communities were displaced and religious leaders attacked.“We are not sure whose side the military is on. Their behavior raises serious suspicions of complicity,” they said, citing the increasingly unsafe Naka-Makurdi and Taraku-Naka roads as further proof of the deteriorating security situation.They issued a direct call to Governor Hyacinth Alia, urging him to act decisively against what they called “ethnic cleansing” of the Tiv people. They also demanded that President Bola Tinubu declare full-scale war on the terrorist elements identified by Governor Alia as foreign invaders.“Failure to act decisively will be seen as indifference or complicity. To be silent is to die twice,” they warned.The priests also called for immediate government compensation for victims and the return of displaced persons to their ancestral lands, insisting that the government’s constitutional duty is to protect the lives and dignity of its citizens.Reaffirming their commitment to the gospel, the clergy said they would not be silenced and encouraged Nigerian youths to be prepared to defend their faith, farmlands, and communities within the bounds of the law.“The right to self-defence is inalienable for all citizens,” they declared.Kidnappers Intercept Another Benue Links Bus, Abduct 10 PassengersExactly one month after gunmen suspected to be kidnappers hijacked a Benue Links bus at Ikobi in Otukpo local government area, killed the driver and kidnapped 14 passengers on board, gunmen have again hijacked another Benue link bus and kidnapped 10 passengers including the driver.The latest incident happened along the Owukpa–Orokam road in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.A resident in Owukpa community identified as Grace Ogwuche who spoke to DAILY ASSET on phone in Makurdi, said 9 passengers, including the driver of the vehicle, were kidnapped, while one female passenger managed to escape.According to her, the incident occurred at about 7PM on Saturday while the victims were returning from Orba market in Enugu to Owukpa community in Ogbadibo.She maintained that the gunmen ambushed the Benue Link and whisked away all the passengers, including some women who were still breastfeeding their children.”They shot the driver and one other person, causing the vehicle to lose control and veer off the road. The other passengers were later kidnapped.”I want to call on the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council to liaise with relevant security agencies to act fast to rescue the victims.“The area has long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks,” he warned.One of the victims, who sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack, was left behind as a result of excessive bleeding that could have compromised the abductors’ location.The victim is presently receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of St. Mary’s Hospital in Okpoga, Okpokwu local government area.When contacted, the Leader of the Owukpa vigilante group, Amos Agada, who confirmed the incident, said as of Sunday morning, June 1, the kidnappers had not contacted any of the victims’ families.According to him, the local security operatives were already making efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.Also, a community leader, Hon Adikwu Daniel, who raised the alarm in a statement, urged the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council and security agencies to act swiftly to rescue the victims and install a sustainable security presence along the dangerous route.“The area has long been a danger zone, and no serious security network is in place to stop or reduce these attacks,” he warned”, he said.When contacted the state commissioner for energy and transports, Barrister Omale Omale, said he was not aware of the development.”I kindly refer you to the general manager of Benue Link. He has the authority to speak on my behalf, although he is yet to bring the incident to my knowledge”, Omale said.However, the information officer of Benue Link Transport Company, Ehi Johnson, told DAILY ASSET that he can’t speak on the latest development.He promised to get across to journalists at the appropriate time.”Right now, I can’t speak on the matter yet. I will get back to you (journalists) after at the right time. But for now, give me little time.Meanwhile, Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Edet could not be reached, as she did not answer her phone when called.She also did not respond to a text message sent to her mobile phone at the time of filing this report.Over 30 Murder in Renewed Benue AttackAt least 30 people have been reportedly murdered in a renewed attack by suspected herdsmen on Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.DAILY ASSET gathered that the dreaded killer herdsmen invaded the community at about 6:30PM yesterday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone on sight.A local source who confirmed the incident, said many residents were also taken away to unknown destination during the deadly assault.The local who identified himself as Owoicho Daniel said that the community was completely were sacked by the armed attackers.”As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community. It was an unprovoked attack. We were taking unaware. Some people went to evening service, while others at beer joint when they killers came.”It is an evening one can never imagine. Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they look so helpless.Government must do something about these incessant killings and attacks. We have be living in fear for the past two months. The attack is still on going. About 30 people have been killed so far while several people have gone missing”, he said.Effort to get confirmation from the Benue State Police Command proved abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Edet could not be reached, as she did not answer her phone when called.She also did not respond to a text message sent to her mobile phone at the time of filing this report.