The ongoing violence in Nigeria’s central region has taken a devastating turn this week.
A brutal assault by extremist herdsmen left dozens dead and a Catholic priest and several nuns kidnapped, deepening fears about the growing persecution of Christians in the country.
Deadly Attack by Fulani Militants Shakes Villages in Benue State
On Sunday, hundreds of jihadist Fulani herdsmen launched coordinated attacks across multiple villages, killing nearly 40 people.
More than half of the victims were Christians, according to Truth Nigeria, a humanitarian organization focused on documenting Nigeria’s struggles with crime and corruption.
This wave of violence comes just days after Father Solomon Atongo, a priest from St. John Quasi Parish in Jimba, was shot and two of his companions were abducted.
Father Atongo is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries.
Retaliation Targeting Bishop Wilfred Anagbe’s Hometown
Some of the bloodshed occurred in Aondona, the hometown of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi. Observers believe these attacks were retaliatory.
Bishop Anagbe, a Claretian missionary, recently testified before a U.S. congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C., accusing the Nigerian government of failing to stop what he described as systematic persecution and extermination of Christians.
Douglas Burton, director of Truth Nigeria, noted in a recent interview on “EWTN News Nightly” that violence in the region has escalated since Anagbe’s testimony.
“It’s a tragic situation,” Burton said, explaining that Fulani terrorists specifically targeted Anagbe’s home village in the latest attacks.
Testimony Highlights Growing Islamist Persecution in Nigeria
Back in March, Bishop Anagbe spoke before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, where he painted a grim picture of the situation for Nigerian Christians.
He described the Church’s experience as one of “Islamist extermination,” warning that it is terrifying to live under such conditions.
Later, in an interview on “EWTN News Nightly,” Anagbe emphasized that the persecution is part of a deliberate Islamic agenda aimed at converting Nigeria into an Islamic state in West Africa.
The Struggle Continues Amid International Spotlight
As violence and kidnappings persist, international attention remains focused on Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
The recent attacks underscore the urgent need for stronger action to protect vulnerable communities and bring peace to the troubled region.