ACN’s project partners have described Nigeria as being at “war”, with Christians facing the brunt of the violence. Our partners have also denounced the Nigerian Government for its inaction.

By ACN Staff

Senior Church leaders have denounced the situation in northern Nigeria. The denouncements occurred at the funeral Mass of Fr Alphonsus Bello Yashim, a 33-year-old priest who was murdered in Malfunashi, northern Nigeria. A 75-year-old priest, Fr. Joseph Keke, was also abducted in the same incident. He has subsequently been released.

Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso of Kaduna, said the following during the funeral Mass of Fr. Alphonsus:

“Our country is at war because of religious fanatics, bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, armed herders and opportunists who are criminals in the true sense of the word. They kill and maim innocent Nigerians regardless of their religion, ethnicity or political orientation.”

Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto, also speaking during the funeral criticized the Nigerian government. He said that innocent people are being killed without any consequences in northern Nigeria. The bishop said the following:

“Citizens are alone. Keeping your safety is not our priority. Foreign bandits or other criminals can come at will, kill you, loot you, rape you, kidnap you and murder you.”

The attack in which Fr. Alphonsus was killed is part of a wider trend of violence in the north of Nigeria. Kaduna state is one of the hotbeds of violence in Nigeria. Christians are targeted in particular, and the Church is seriously impeded in the work that can be carried out.

For example, Kaduna seminary was attacked in 2020. Three seminaries were abducted and a fourth was murdered. The seminary was forced to send the seminarians home due to the volatile situation. The rector of the seminary, Fr. Habila Daboh, explained to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) the reason for the decision:

“We had to close the seminar in a hurry. The reason: kidnappers recently seized 24 students from a university that is very close to the seminary. Five of them were killed. We want to avoid a repeat of what happened to us in 2020!”

The situation is volatile in other parts of Nigeria. For example, in Benue and Taraba states there are ongoing land disputes between the Christian Tiv ethnic group, who are mostly farmers, and the Fulani herders, who are mostly Muslim. In 2018, laws passed against nomadic grazing of cattle caused outrage amongst the Fulani. This has led to frequent attacks on the Tiv resulting in hundreds of deaths. Fr. Kuha Indyer, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, is one of ACN’s project partners. One of Fr. Kuha’s relatives was killed in an attack two weeks ago, in which Fulani herders killed 36 people. Fr. Kuha described the situation as the following:

“Fulani herders are massacring Tiv people, killing them with their knives and with modern weapons like AK47.”

One consistent theme that emerges from discussion with ACN’s project partners is their dissatisfaction at the Nigerian government’s response to the ongoing violence. Many are fearful that some government officials are motivated by a particular type of Islamism and are attempting to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state where Christians are unwelcome. ACN is determined to help the Nigerian Church in whatever ways we can. If you wish to help us in our mission please consider making a donation and please pray the Rosary for peace in Nigeria.