For information about Orthodox Christianity in Nigeria, see here.
“Over 15 Catholic parishes close amid ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria,” by Abah Anthony John, CNA, November 8, 2024:
Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi in Nigeria has called for action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Benue State, which has led to the closure of over 15 parishes in his diocese. In an interview with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, during the seventh International Theological Conference organized by the Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa, Anagbe urged the Nigerian government to prioritize security to restore hope and enable displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes. “Benue state is like the epicenter of what is happening. In my Diocese of Makurdi, I have lost about 14 to 15 parishes now,” the bishop said. “When I mean parishes, some parishes have about 20 ‘outstations,’ some have about 15. It covers almost 20-25 kilometers. So, the demography of the state and the diocese is shrinking.” Anagbe clarified that the closure of parishes owing to insecurity is also being witnessed in the Otukpo Diocese as well as in the Katsina-Ala Diocese. Both are located in embattled areas of Nigeria. The bishop expressed concern about the constant reports of killings and kidnappings in the country, emphasizing the role of the Nigerian government to protect lives and property. “Every day we must hear about killings and kidnappings. And it is not for the people to defend themselves because the protection of lives and properties is in the hands of the government,” the Catholic leader explained…. Anagbe expressed frustration at what he described as a lack of decisive action from the government. “The protection of lives and properties is in the hands of the government, yet this responsibility has been neglected,” he said, arguing that Nigeria’s capacity for peacekeeping in other nations — such as Sierra Leone and Liberia — demonstrates that the government could resolve the crisis if it chose to. “You can’t tell me these bandits are beyond the Nigerian army or the police,” Anagbe said….
