Makurdi Priests Raise Alarm Over Bishop Anagbe’s Safety After U.S. Testimony
The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA) have expressed deep concern over the safety of their Bishop, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, following his testimony before the United States House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa.
Bishop Anagbe had detailed the persistent attacks on Benue farmers and the persecution of Christians by armed herdsmen, urging the U.S. to label Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The Chairman of the NCDPA, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, said in a statement that there were troubling rumours suggesting possible plans by authorities to arrest or intimidate the Bishop upon his return to Nigeria.
He said, “We express grave concern over the increasing rumours regarding the safety of Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe and his priest, Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, following the Bishop’s courageous and truthful statements about the persistent killings, violence, and displacement in Benue State and across Nigeria.”
He described any such move as a threat to freedom of speech, religious liberty, and the moral obligation of a pastor to speak for his people.
According to the priests, Fr. Ihyula received a message on March 28 from an embassy in Abuja warning that there might be an arrest warrant waiting for Bishop Anagbe.
They said Bishop Anagbe has been a consistent voice for justice, peace, and the protection of vulnerable communities in the Middle Belt region.
“Silencing him is an attempt to suppress the truth and ignore the pain of thousands who have been violently displaced,” the statement read.
The association called on the Nigerian government, security agencies, and the international community to guarantee the Bishop’s safety.
They urged the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), civil society groups, and religious leaders to remain vigilant.
“We strongly condemn any attempt to harass, silence, or harm Bishop Anagbe—or any religious leader who speaks truth to power,” they declared.
Reaffirming their support, the priests said: “We stand with Bishop Wilfred Anagbe. We stand for truth. We stand for justice. We stand for the people of Benue State and all persecuted communities in Nigeria.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
