Catholic Lawyers Condemn Verbal Attacks On Bishop Anagbe Over Testimonies In US
By Armstrong Tseaa, Makurdi
The National Association of Catholic Lawyers of Nigeria (NACL), Makurdi Diocese has called on governments of Nigeria, both federal and States, all relevant authorities, to as a matter of urgency prioritise and re-double their efforts in the fight against insecurity and Fulani herdersmen invasion in Nigeria especially in Benue State.
NACL made this assertion in a press conference held at Pope John Paul Pastoral Centre, Kanshio-Makurdi.
According to a statement signed by Barr. Polycarp T. Aande, and Barr. P.A Adi NAC, Makurdi Catholic Diocesan President and Secretary respectively, the group condemned what it described as uncomplimentary and uninformed statements against the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev’d Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, regarding his testimonies before the United States House on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa on 12 March, 2025.
NACL stated that information available to the Association showed that the Bishop anchored his plea on the plight of Christians in Nigeria, their increasing persecution which has remained unabated, and called on the US and UK to re-designate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). Recall that Nigeria had borne the status in the past.
The NACL said: ‘The Bishop passionate plea details the persecutions of Christians especially in northern and central regions of Nigeria, where he says there is an agenda to “reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity” of the country.’
It is unfortunate that his plea has triggered responses, reactions and back lash from key government figures, including the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Prominent among those embittered by the plea of the Bishop is the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), who have accused the Bishop of spreading “islamophobic tropes” and called for his interrogation for the alleged hate speech, while Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), has described the Bishop’s remarks as misleading and dangerous, accusing him of making unsubstantiated allegations regarding the persecution of Christians in Benue State.
The federal government in a swift defence, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Nigeria as a “beacon of religious tolerance and coexistence” and further said, the recent testimonies of the Bishop Anagbe amount to pitching Christians against Muslims.
The Catholic Lawyers further stated that, between 2018 to 2024, Nigeria lost about 15 Parishes, with 124 priests kidnapped, some killed, as others regained freedom but at very high cost, while many churches had been destroyed.
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported the 2024 Christmas Day massacre that claimed the lives of 47 Christians attending a service in Anwase in the Diocese of Gboko, Benue State.
Eight parish buildings- including the church and clinic were burnt to ashes.
Similarly, in April, 2018, two priests and over 17 parishioners were massacred in a morning Mass at St Ignatius Parish Ayar- Mbalom in Benue State.
NACL Makurdi Diocese views these responses and attacks on the Bishop as unnecessary, ill-conceived, unwarranted and misplaced, considering the available statistics and facts presented by His Lordship the Bishop before the international community.
“The armed forces and other security agencies must not hesitate to handle insecurity with vigor, in order to restore stability back to Nigeria’, NACL added.
“The Association is watching and monitoring closely as events unfold and shall not hesitate to invoke any lawful means to ensure that the Bishop is not kowtowed or bullied into compromise,” the groups said.
