The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has urged federal and state authorities to prioritise the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities in Benue State, rejecting permanent resettlement as a viable solution.
Speaking during a 2026 Catholic gathering in Makurdi, Bishop Anagbe argued that the majority of displaced residents are farmers whose economic survival depends on accessing their original farmlands. He stated that relocating IDPs to new settlements would abandon their communities and fail to address core livelihood needs. Instead, he called on the government to provide robust security, particularly in border areas, to enable sustainable returns.
The Bishop also reiterated his position that the recurrent violence in Benue and other parts of Nigeria constitutes a targeted Christian genocide, a view he has long advocated despite earlier criticism. He expressed gratitude that his warnings are now widely acknowledged and urged the government to fulfill its responsibility to protect citizens and reclaim invaded territories.
Bishop Anagbe’s advocacy is coupled with direct humanitarian action; the Dean of the Makurdi High Level Deanery, Peter Paleve, commended him for personally funding surgical interventions for over 250 IDPs suffering from conditions like hernia and goitre.
The Bishop’s stance highlights a fundamental disagreement over IDP policy in conflict-affected regions, emphasizing land rights and economic restoration over physical relocation. His call underscores ongoing tensions regarding security, communal ownership, and the long-term resolution of displacement in north-central Nigeria.
