In the wake of a brutal massacre that left at least 50 Christians dead in central Nigeria, a senior Catholic priest has issued a dire warning.
Newsroom (27/05/2025 13:04, Gaudium Press) A dire warning has been issue by a catholic priest if the government and military fail to protect believers from jihadist attacks. Armed self-defense may become the only remaining option.
A Village Under Siege
On Sunday evening, the predominantly Christian village of Aondona—home to Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Diocese—was ambushed by over 150 Fulani militants on motorcycles. For two hours, the attackers sprayed bullets indiscriminately, slaughtering men, women, and children before burning homes and vehicles. Survivors, now sheltering in nearby parishes, report that many were abducted, while others remain missing in the bush.
Father Humphrey Boyo, a local parish priest, described the massacre as part of a long-standing jihadist campaign to eradicate Christianity in Nigeria. “This is not just criminality; it is a religious war,” he told Crux.
Government Complicity?
Father Moses Iorapuu, Vicar General of Makurdi Diocese, accused the Nigerian government of complicity through inaction. The attack occurred near a military post, yet no troops intervened. “The whole system is compromised,” Iorapuu said, suggesting that authorities are turning a blind eye to the persecution of Christians.
The assault on Aondona carries symbolic weight—Bishop Anagbe, a vocal advocate for Nigeria’s persecuted Christians, previously testified before the U.S. Congress and British Parliament about the genocide unfolding in his homeland. His testimony allegedly drew threats from Islamic extremists and even government officials.
A Call to Arms?
With over 52,250 Christians slaughtered since 2009—according to a 2023 report by Intersociety—many believers are losing faith in the state’s ability to protect them. Iorapuu warned that if the violence continues unchecked, Christians may have no choice but to take up arms.
“There will come a time when Christians will be forced to defend themselves robustly,” he said. “If the government does not act, self-preservation will demand it.”
Official Condemnation, But Little Action
Benue State Governor Father Hyacinth Alia (a Catholic priest) condemned the attack as “heinous” and vowed that such violence “will not be tolerated.” Yet, as with past massacres, rhetoric has not translated into meaningful protection.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) mourned the victims but emphasized that “violence only breeds more hatred.” However, with jihadist raids occurring weekly and security forces failing to intervene, patience is wearing thin.
A Global Crisis Ignored
Nigeria’s Christian genocide has been largely overlooked by the international community, despite reports from evangelical groups like Open Doors, which ranks Nigeria as the world’s deadliest country for Christians. The U.S. State Department has yet to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations, a move activists say is long overdue.
The Looming Threat of Civil Conflict
If Christians begin arming themselves en masse, Nigeria risks descending into full-scale sectarian warfare. Already, groups like the Christian Farmers’ Defense Force have emerged in response to Fulani militant raids.
Father Iorapuu’s warning is a desperate plea—not for war, but for government action before it’s too late. “We do not want bloodshed,” he said. “But how long can we watch our people be slaughtered like animals?”
What Comes Next?
The Nigerian government must either:
Deploy decisive military force to crush jihadist militias, or Face the consequences of a Christian uprising that could destabilize the entire region.
For now, the bloodshed continues—and the world remains silent.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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