Catholic Priests Claim Tinubu’s Govt Plans to Arrest Bishop Anagbe After U.S. Human Rights Testimony

The Association of Diocesan Priests of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has raised a red flag over what it describes as an alleged plot by Nigerian government authorities to arrest the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, upon his return to the country. The alarm follows the Bishop’s recent appearance before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, where he exposed the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State.

The priests’ association, in a statement signed by its chairman, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, condemned what it called a veiled attempt to intimidate and silence a prominent religious leader for truthfully representing the suffering of his people. According to the association, such action would amount to persecution against the Church and an affront to freedom of expression and religion in Nigeria.

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Outcry Following U.S. Testimony

Bishop Anagbe, during his testimony on March 12, 2025, titled “Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for the CPC Designation,” painted a grim picture of religiously targeted violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. He described a systematic and sustained campaign of displacement, killings, and the destruction of Christian farmlands and institutions—primarily by militant Fulani herdsmen—with little or no response from government authorities.

He called for the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under U.S. foreign policy, citing widespread persecution of Christians and government inaction. The Bishop urged the international community to condition further cooperation with Nigeria on the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral lands.

Legal and Religious Backing

In the wake of his testimony, concerns have grown over his safety. The National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL) in Makurdi has also voiced strong opposition to any attempt to arrest the Bishop, warning that such a move would set a dangerous precedent of criminalizing moral advocacy and humanitarian truth-telling.

Rev. Fr. Remigius Ihyula, a prominent priest working with IDPs in Benue State, disclosed that a foreign diplomatic source had warned him of a potential arrest warrant being prepared against the Bishop. Though not officially confirmed, the warning has heightened fears among the clergy and the wider Christian community in Nigeria.

Government Silence and Suspicion

While no official government statement has confirmed or denied the existence of an arrest plan, the growing tension and widespread reporting on the matter suggest that the issue is far from being dismissed as speculation. Critics argue that the silence from government quarters only fuels suspicion that the state may be using security institutions to target dissenters and silence criticism of its handling of national security.

In a related development, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) reportedly criticized Bishop Anagbe’s testimony, alleging it was inflammatory. The Church has firmly rejected such claims, asserting that the Bishop spoke from evidence and lived experiences, not religious prejudice.

“Not a Religious War, But a Humanitarian Crisis”

Bishop Anagbe, in his testimony, emphasized that while the conflict may be painted in religious colours, it is rooted in a broader strategy of displacement, land grabbing, and the weakening of Christian communities in Nigeria’s heartland. He recounted incidents where security forces failed to respond to early warnings before mass killings, particularly during the 2024 Christmas period when dozens were massacred in Benue and Plateau States.

“The Makurdi Diocese in Benue State has become the epicentre of violent invasions,” the Bishop said. “Militant Fulani herdsmen operate with impunity, killing, raping, and displacing Christian villagers with no repercussion. This is supported by a corrupt system and worsening poverty.”

International Attention and the Road Ahead

The escalating tension between the Church and the Nigerian state underscores broader issues of religious freedom, political accountability, and the shrinking civic space in Nigeria. Analysts say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the Nigerian government is committed to democratic norms or sliding into authoritarian suppression of critical voices.

As the international community continues to watch, the fate of Bishop Anagbe could symbolize a turning point in the struggle for religious freedom and security reform in Nigeria. Church leaders have vowed to stand by him, insisting that “to remain silent is to die twice.”

By TJ News Nigeria
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