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The Bishop of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has cautioned authorities at all levels of government against adopting resettlement as a permanent solution for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.
Speaking at the 2026 Cathedraticum held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Makurdi, Bishop Anagbe stressed that displaced persons, the majority of whom are farmers, should instead be assisted to return safely to their ancestral lands so they can resume farming activities and care for their families.
According to the Bishop, the only durable and sustainable solution is the safe return of IDPs to their original homes, which he said requires government at all levels to provide adequate security, particularly at border areas, to protect returnees and prevent further occupation of their lands by attackers.
He explained that resettling displaced persons elsewhere would not address their economic realities, as most depend on access to their ancestral farmlands for survival. The Bishop also decried attempts to distort the narrative surrounding the killings in Benue and other parts of the country for personal or political gains.
Reflecting on his advocacy, Bishop Anagbe recalled the criticism he faced when he first raised concerns about the attacks on his people. “When I started the cry for the killing of our people, I was called names. Some said I am partisan, but because I knew what I was doing, I was not deterred,” he said. “I thank God that today, everybody has seen the truth.”
He maintained that the killings in Benue and Nigeria at large amount to a purely Christian genocide and expressed gratitude to God for vindicating his persistent calls. The Bishop urged governments to rise to their responsibilities of protecting lives and property while pushing out terrorists occupying ancestral homes.
Earlier, the Dean of the High Level Deanery in the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Peter Paleve, who also serves as Chief Medical Director of Bishop Murray Medical Centre, commended Bishop Anagbe for his consistent leadership and humanitarian efforts. Paleve specifically thanked the Bishop for sponsoring surgeries for over 250 IDPs suffering from various ailments, including hernia and goitre, describing the gesture as a demonstration of compassionate leadership.
Bishop Anagbe urged Christians to remain steadfast in prayer while upholding values of truth, honesty, and sincerity, emphasising that truth remains a powerful tool in overcoming challenges. He added that his advocacy has always been driven by a desire to see peace restored so that residents can return to their normal lives and farming activities.
