The Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, has issued a strong and urgent statement expressing deep concern over growing rumours surrounding the safety of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, CMF, and his priest, Revd Fr. Remigius Ihyula.
The concern comes amid unverified reports suggesting the Nigerian government may be plotting to arrest or intimidate Bishop Anagbe following his vocal condemnation of the persistent killings, displacement, and violence affecting communities in Benue State and other parts of the country.
In the press statement, the NCDPA praised Bishop Anagbe for his “courageous and truthful statements” and described him as a “prophetic voice” in the face of ongoing atrocities. The Bishop, who has served since 2014, has been a consistent advocate for justice and peace, particularly highlighting the plight of victims of attacks by violent herdsmen and armed militias in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“We, the Catholic priests of Makurdi Diocese, stand solidly with our Bishop,” the statement declared. “He has spoken the truth, a truth which many suffer in silence. Our people are being killed and driven from their ancestral homes on a daily basis.”
The association revealed that on March 28, 2025, Fr. Remigius Ihyula received a message from an embassy in Abuja warning that there “might be” an arrest warrant awaiting Bishop Anagbe upon his return to Nigeria.
Such a move, the statement argued, would be a grave violation of religious liberty and freedom of speech, and would represent a “dangerous affront” to the rights of a pastor to defend his people.
“We strongly condemn any attempt to harass, silence, or harm Bishop Anagbe or any other religious leader who dares to speak truth to power,” the priests asserted, demanding immediate assurances for the Bishop’s safety.
They also called on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), other religious leaders, civil society, and the international community to stand in defense of Bishop Anagbe and Fr. Ihyula.
The priests warned that any effort to repress voices of conscience would only deepen existing wounds and embolden violent actors.
“The voice of the shepherd must not be silenced. The cry of the oppressed must not be ignored. Truth is not a crime and so must never be criminalized,” the statement concluded.
As tensions rise over the alleged threats, the spotlight remains firmly on the Nigerian government’s next actions, even as calls for justice and accountability echo across the country.
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