The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Reverend Wilfred Anagbe, has called on Christians to rely on prayer as a spiritual weapon against the ongoing wave of violence and destruction caused by unknown assailants.
Speaking during the 2025 Chrism Mass held in Makurdi on Thursday, Bishop Anagbe condemned the relentless attacks that have displaced scores of people from their homes, forcing many into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
He revealed that within the Makurdi Diocese alone, there are currently nine separate IDP settlements, housing individuals who have fled from their ancestral lands due to fear and violence.
Bishop Anagbe emphasized that temporary shelters are not a lasting solution. “Keeping people in camps indefinitely only empowers the invaders and suggests we’ve surrendered our heritage,” he said.
The cleric encouraged Christians not to give up but to turn to God, stressing that true hope lies in divine intervention. “Let us pray earnestly,” he urged, “because, with God, our future holds promise and restoration.”