Catholic leaders in Nigeria are anxious about the conflicts between Christian farmers and Muslim herders. There are countless people displaced and caused upheaval in local markets. The frustration roots from the inaction by the government of Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari is not paying attention to the violence and clashes.
Conflicts have become a common matter in recent years, said Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of Makurdi said last week during a webinar conducted by Aid to the Church in Need. The reports to the diocese have showed that Muslim insurgents had infiltrated Fulani communities, leading to the formation of well armed militia that regularly attacks Christian agriculture communities. These violence led to a humanitarian crisis and about one million people internally displaced and living in refugee camps.
Mark von Riedemann, Director of Public Affairs and Religious Freedom at Aid to the Church in Need shared a statistic showing 654 attacks against farmers had occurred from 2017 to 2020. More than 2500 death caused by the attacks, nearly 400 wounded, 250 kidnappings, many rapes and sexual harassment against women and destruction of 7500 homes and 24 churches.
“It is wiser and easier to prevent war than to stop it after it has broken out, “the bishop said. The church remains the last instance of care and humanitarian aid Bishop Wilfred Anagbe added.