Church caring for displaced people in Nigeria's Middle Belt
Fulani herder violence has displaced thousands in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Father Remigius Ihyula spoke to ACN about the situation in Benue State and how the Church in s caring for the displaced people.
By ACN Staff
IDPs in Benue State. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Located in Nigeria’s “Middle Belt”, Benue State is an agriculturally rich region that has recently seen increased attacks on predominately Christian farmers by mostly Muslim Fulani herders. Patience Ibile interviewed Father Remigius Ihyula for ACN. Father Remigius is an ACN partner and heads the Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace of the Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State. The local diocese, with the support of ACN, is sheltering IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) in 14 camps and 13 hosting communities.
Father Remigius Ihyula and Patience Ibile with IDPs in Benue State. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
There was a drastic increase in violence perpetrated by Fulani herders in 2014. When asked by Patience what is causing the Fulani violence in Benue State, Father Remigius replied as follows:
“What is called Fulani violence should be called Fulani terrorist attacks on innocent villages. Some say their motive is religion; others say that they’ve come into the Benue valley because of climate change. But it’s not because of climate change, because that is a factor all over, and people are not killing each other everywhere. Our interpretation is that there are terrorists who use these herdsmen to displace the local population.”
Father Remigius explained that Benue State is considered Nigeria’s food basket. The people and farmers of the region were used to a reasonable standard of living due to high agricultural yields. The terrorists have changed all of this. The farmers now have to rely upon aid from the Church and NGOs, as they have been displaced from their farmers and villages and are, therefore, unable to make a living. The Fulani terrorists are not only destroying crops and killing people but also occupying the land and displacing Christian farmers.
The local diocese has been very active in caring for these displaced farmers and families. In the diocesan-run camps, they provide for hygiene, food, educational and psychological needs. As Father Remigius explains, for many IDPs, psychosocial care and spiritual support are of particular importance:
IDPs in Benue State. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
“Some camp residents have suffered multiple displacements. Others have seen their loved ones slaughtered, shot at and butchered like animals. We have staff who give psycho-social counselling to address their trauma, and we also provide spiritual help because the Christian faith sometimes helps people heal better and faster. If not for the Christian faith, I am sure that many people would have taken up arms to go back and fight.
They need their faith, which is the most important support we can give them. Therefore, the bishop tells me to visit the camps every day. When they see me, it gives them hope and strengthens their faith in God. Our Lord’s Prayer teaches us to love and pray for those who hate and persecute us. Our people are willing to forgive and try to heal. Despite all that has happened to them, they must be willing to forgive – that is the message of our preaching to them, so that they can rebuild their lives. When we talk to our people who have suffered, we urge them not to take revenge, because then they may never heal from what they have gone through.”
IDPs in Benue State. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Father Remigius was critical of the Nigerian Federal Government and the president. The president is a Muslim Fulani, and some speculate this is why he has failed to address this crisis. As Father Remigius explained, the president has not even paid a visit to the IDP camps:
“Show me any place on Earth where people are displaced in their thousands and their government or president doesn’t visit. Our people are butchered and slaughtered daily, and our president does not come to see them. And when our governor wants to speak about this, the president shuts him up. He says it’s an age-old thing. We ask him: why do you allow your citizens to be killed?”
The diocese is committed to continuing to care for the needs of IDPs in Benue State. Father Remigius told ACN that the diocese is looking to build a trauma centre for the IDPs, improve healthcare facilities, and provide education for displaced children. Father Remigius finished the interview by thanking ACN’s benefactors:
“Aid to the Church in Need is a Godsend for the Diocese of Makurdi. The organisation has taken our message to the world. This is only the first of their interventions in Makurdi, and we have achieved so much already. I want to use this medium to thank all of you for the work you do. We pray for you and for your intentions, and that you continue to advocate for us. We pray that this collaboration will be fruitful and better the situations of our brothers and sisters. Thank you and God bless you.”