In a compelling appeal to the UK government, a Nigerian bishop has highlighted the ongoing crisis faced by Christians in Nigeria, urging that diplomatic and economic relations be tied to the country’s efforts in resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, addressing an audience at the House of Lords, recounted the dire circumstances in Makurdi, where Islamist groups and Fulani herdsmen have launched violent attacks, destroying churches and homes, and targeting religious figures and laypeople alike.
The violence has resulted in a significant displacement of Christians in the Benue state, forcing many to seek refuge in IDP camps. Bishop Anagbe stated, “The militant Fulani herdsmen bear on defenceless villagers without consequence. They follow orders to conquer, kill, and occupy. They attack even those who have managed to escape into our IDP camps.”
He criticized Nigerian security forces for their inadequate response, referencing a series of attacks in December 2024, where, despite advance warnings, security personnel were absent, leading to devastating casualties, including a massacre that claimed 47 lives over Christmas.
The bishop emphasized the urgent need for action, noting that such massacres during Christmas have become alarmingly frequent in certain regions. He called for the safe return of IDPs to their original homes, accountability for the attackers, and reparations for the victims.
In his plea to the British government, Bishop Anagbe urged, “I ask you to condition the diplomatic and economic relations of the UK with Nigeria on the return of the IDPs to their ancestral homes and help for them to rebuild their lives.”
He concluded by appealing to the international community for support, insisting, “I implore this august body to insist on the return and rehabilitation of all IDPs to their ancestral lands, and not to relocate them to other constructed camps elsewhere.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
