The Nigerian Catholic Priests Association (NCPA), Makurdi Diocese, has issued a passionate and urgent call to action, imploring the youth of Benue State to rise in defence of their faith, farmlands, and ancestral way of life as waves of violent attacks continue to devastate communities across the region.
Speaking on Sunday, the Chairman of the Association, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, delivered a stirring address condemning what he described as “inhumane, barbaric, and a gross violation of the sanctity and dignity of human life.”
In just the last month, over 50 lives—men, women, and children—have been brutally cut short in a spate of coordinated attacks on rural communities including Tse Orbiam, Ahume, Jimba, Nagi-Camp, Aondoana, Yelewata, and Abegana, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. Among the slain was Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo, a devoted servant of the Church, whose killing has sent shockwaves through the religious community.
> “We mourn our brother, Fr. Atongo, and the many innocent lives lost. Their blood cries out for justice,” Fr. Beba declared solemnly.
“The Right to Self-Defence is Sacred”
Calling on Benue’s youth not to fold their arms in helplessness, Fr. Beba emphasized that self-defence is not just a right, but a moral duty when one’s existence is under threat.
> “We call on the youth to be prepared—mentally, spiritually, and physically—to defend their faith, farmlands, and way of life. The right to self-defence is an inalienable one for all citizens,” he said.
The priests urged communities to resist passivity and apathy in the face of rising insecurity, stressing that defending one’s homeland does not amount to lawlessness but rather affirms the sacred duty of preservation and resilience.
The association took a hard swipe at the Federal and Benue State governments, calling out their sluggish and often cosmetic responses to the bloodshed. Fr. Beba challenged authorities to move beyond hollow press statements and embrace concrete, urgent action.
> “Government must be responsible and accountable. Nigerians are tired of press releases from the comfort of conference rooms while their homes are set ablaze and loved ones buried,” he stated.
He further urged the Nigerian security forces, especially the military, to demonstrate the same commitment, urgency, and professionalism with which they secure elections when it comes to protecting lives and property.
> “The legitimacy of any government rests on its ability to protect its people. If the people can’t find refuge in their government, where else should they turn?” he asked.
Demand for Justice, Compensation, and Resettlement
Fr. Beba did not mince words as he demanded immediate compensation for victims of violence, and the safe and dignified return of displaced persons to their ancestral lands.
> “Communities have been sacked, dreams shattered, and livelihoods destroyed. Restoration must be holistic—justice, compensation, and resettlement are non-negotiable.”
He reminded both state and federal leaders of their constitutional responsibilities to provide not only security but also access to basic amenities such as clean water, housing, education, and freedom of worship—rights that have been systematically denied to affected communities.
Fr. Beba reaffirmed the Church’s unwavering commitment to the gospel truth and its role as a voice of conscience in turbulent times. He vowed that the association will continue to speak truth to power, despite intimidation and attempts at silencing dissent.
He also lamented that the material and humanitarian support consistently provided by the Church to victims of violence often goes unrecognized, yet the Church remains steadfast in its duty to the suffering.
> “Our mission is not political. It is human, spiritual, and moral. We will continue to stand with the people, even when those in power fail them.”
As Benue battles for survival amid carnage and neglect, the voice of the clergy rings out—both a cry of anguish and a call to courage. A line has been drawn: defend your faith, your farm, and your future—or lose them all.
PIONEER NEWS 