BENUE BISHOP URGES AUTHORITIES TO RETURN IDPS TO THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMES
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Bishop of the Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has cautioned authorities at all levels of government against treating resettlement as a permanent solution for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.
Speaking at the 2026 Cathedradicum held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Makurdi, he emphasized that displaced persons should not be moved to new settlements but rather supported to return to their ancestral homes, where they can resume their farming livelihoods.
He stated that the most lasting and sustainable solution is to facilitate their return, noting that government at all levels has the capacity to achieve this by providing adequate security, particularly in border communities, to guarantee the safety of those returning.
He explained that most of the displaced persons are farmers whose livelihoods rely heavily on access to their farmlands, arguing that relocating them would fail to address their economic realities.
He questioned the viability of resettlement, noting that such a move could leave their ancestral communities deserted and exposed to occupation by attackers.
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The Bishop also criticised what he described as efforts to misrepresent the situation surrounding the killings in Benue and other parts of the country for personal or political interests.
He recalled facing backlash when he first spoke out about the attacks but remained resolute.
Reflecting on his advocacy, he said, “When I first raised alarm over the killing of our people, I was criticised and labelled partisan. However, I remained steadfast because I was convinced of the cause. Today, the truth is evident to all.”
He added that his continued advocacy has been driven by a commitment to restoring peace and enabling affected residents to return to their normal lives.
“All I sought was an end to the killings so that the people of Benue can safely return to their farms and provide for their families. That is why I remained persistent and took the appeal to the international community. Thankfully, we are now in agreement,” he said.
The Bishop further noted that more people are beginning to understand the extent of the violence, stating, “I am pleased that people in Benue and beyond now recognise the scale of the killings in Benue and across Nigeria as a targeted attack on Christians. I thank God for answering my prayers and vindicating me. I urge governments at all levels to fulfil their responsibility of protecting lives and property, and to remove those occupying our people’s ancestral lands.”
He also encouraged Christians to remain committed to prayer while upholding values such as truth, honesty, and sincerity, stressing that truth remains a powerful force in overcoming challenges.
Earlier, the Dean of the High-Level Deanery in the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Peter Paleve, commended Bishop Anagbe for his consistent leadership and advocacy for affected communities.
Paleve, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Bishop Murray Medical Centre in Makurdi, highlighted the Bishop’s humanitarian efforts, noting that he sponsored surgeries for over 250 IDPs suffering from conditions such as hernia and goitre, among other ailments.
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