A Catholic priest has accused the military of complicity in the recent attack on St. Paul’s Catholic Parish in Ikobi, Apa LGA of Benue State.
The priest, identified as Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, said armed Fulani herdsmen razed the parish rectory and looted worship items on Monday.
The attack also displaced dozens of residents, with many fleeing into the bushes.
Ihyula, who serves as the Director of Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, alleged that the attackers moved freely and operated in full view of military personnel.
He said the Church and its humanitarian partners had supported displaced communities for years but are now targets of escalating violence.
“St. Paul’s Parish Ikobi, established in 2014, has been reduced to rubble. My life’s work has been destroyed,” Ihyula said.
He added that no community in Apa LGA is safe, and accused the Nigerian military of backing the invaders.
Intersociety, a human rights group, said more than 7,000 Christians have been killed across Nigeria in 2025 alone.
The group warned that Christians could go extinct in Nigeria if the killings are not stopped.
Christians should rise up, armed themselves in self defense and fight the attackers. The docility of Christians over the years has been exploited by armed bandits. Enough of crying and shedding of useless tears. If you fight you ‘ll die and if you don’t, you will die also. Why not fight now and secure posterity for your children who may survived you. By the time you begin to repel them they will be afraid to keep coming. COWARDS DIES MANY TIMES BEFORE THEIR DEATH