As Muslim Media Condemn ‘Islamophobic Tropes’
By Mike Odeh James Makurdi, Nigeria
(Kaduna) Christian clerics across Nigeria have condemned threats issued against two Catholic priests—Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Remigius Ihyula—of the Makurdi Diocese in Benue State, Central Nigeria.
The threats followed Bishop Anagbe’s bold testimony before the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, where he outlined the killings and forced displacement of Christian farmers by Fulani militants, as well as an alleged ongoing campaign to Islamize Nigeria.
Anagbe’s statements triggered a strong reaction from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which accused the bishop of contributing to “the recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports regarding the supposed targeting of Christians in Nigeria.” While the government acknowledged the security challenges confronting the country, it dismissed Anagbe’s claims as exaggerated.
Alarming Statistics on Christian Persecution
Bishop Anagbe, who has led the Makurdi Diocese since 2014, presented troubling statistics on Christian persecution. “My diocese has lost about 15 parishes between 2018 and 2024,” he said.
“Between 2015 and 2024, over 140 priests have been kidnapped—some killed, others only freed after ransom was paid. We’ve had churches destroyed—there have been numerous attacks, even on major Christian holidays.”
In support of these claims, the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported a massacre on Christmas Day, 2024 in Anwase, within the Diocese of Gboko, Benue State, where 47 Christians—including children—were murdered during a church service. Attackers also burned eight parish buildings, including the church and a clinic.
Bishop Anagbe Challenges Government Narrative
The bishop also pushed back against claims that Christians are not being specifically targeted. “If they are not targeted as Christians, let us look at the statistics of what has happened,” he said. “How many mosques have been destroyed compared to the number of Catholic or other Christian churches that have been burned down?” he asked. “How many imams have been kidnapped?”
The fallout from his testimony was swift. Rev. Remigius Ihyula, who accompanied Anagbe during his trips to Washington and the United Kingdom, received a message from a diplomatic mission in Abuja on March 28, warning that there “might be” an arrest warrant awaiting the bishop upon his return to Nigeria.
Muslim Organizations Launch Narrative War
Following Bishop Anagbe’s testimony, several Muslim organizations challenged the credibility of his remarks. The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) criticized what it described as “Islamophobic tropes” aimed at influencing U.S. policy and lobbying for Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). MPAC also rejected the bishop’s claim that Muslims in Nigeria were orchestrating a long-term agenda to Islamize the country through violence and government collusion.
In what appeared to be a veiled threat, MPAC urged the Nigerian government to act against religious leaders whose statements incite discord. The organization also called on the international community to verify facts before shaping policy decisions.
Similarly, the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) condemned Anagbe, accusing him of spreading falsehoods. “Muslim bodies fault US Congress over allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria” screamed a headline from Muslim News. SCSN Secretary-General Dr. Nafiu Baba-Ahmad described the bishop’s remarks as “misleading and reckless,” arguing that they inflame religious tensions. He denied any government complicity and called for an investigation into Anagbe’s comments, alleging they were an attempt to create discord before the U.S. Congress.
Christian Leaders Defend Bishop Anagbe
In response, Christian leaders have come out strongly in support of Bishop Anagbe. Rev. John Joseph Hayab, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 northern states, defended the bishop’s testimony. “Bishop Anagbe was simply stating what is happening to his people in Benue—and Nigeria at large,” Hayab said to TruthNigeria.“The bishop has the right to speak his mind. If any group feels otherwise, they too can voice their opinions without issuing threats.”
In an exclusive interview with TruthNigeria, fiery Kaduna-based cleric Rev. David Ayuba Azzaman echoed this sentiment, stating that the bishop’s testimony was grounded in fact. “There is an ongoing pogrom against Christians in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, and Southern Kaduna by Fulani terrorists—and there are facts and figures to back it up,” Azzaman said.
He warned that the threats against Bishop Anagbe were real and consistent with a broader pattern of intimidation against Christian leaders by both Muslim organizations and government agencies.
A Pattern of Persecution
According to Azzaman, the pattern is well established. “The Nigerian government and radical Muslims in power do not like hearing Christians or their clergymen speak out,” he said. “They will frame you and have you arrested.”
He cited examples, including the attempted arrest of Apostle Johnson Suleman by Nigeria’s security agency in January 2017, and the 2019 threat by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to arrest Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis Church for alleging government involvement in the killing of a Christian tribal chief.
El-Rufai, Azzaman said, also tried to revoke the church’s certificate of occupancy.
Concerns Over Religious Freedom in Nigeria
As tensions mount, concern is growing over the safety of Christian leaders who speak out against religious persecution. The threats facing Bishop Anagbe and other clerics highlight the broader struggle for religious freedom in Nigeria, where Christians who raise their voices often do so at great personal risk.
Speaking to TruthNigeria, Pastor Sunday Oladipo (PhD) of Supernatural Dominion Power in Kaduna warned of a systematic campaign to silence Christian leaders.
“Christian leaders and even their followers have become timid over the years,” he said. “They know they’ll be persecuted if they criticize the federal government or its anti-Christian policies.” He added, “These days, the government has quietly removed the term Fulani terrorists and instead refers to them as herders, while the Christian victims are labeled as farmers. If you dare use the term Fulani ethnic militia, you’ll be accused of trying to incite violence.”
Oladipo traced the campaign back to the presidency of Muhammadu Buhari, under whom he said the stereotyping and blackmailing of Christian clerics became systematic. “Many stopped speaking out, because they feared retaliation,” he said.
However, Oladipo credited TruthNigeria with helping to reignite Christian voices. “With the emergence of TruthNigeria, Nigerian Christians are finding their footing again. A lot of crimes against Christians have been exposed. I’m happy that the American public and government are now paying attention to the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria.”
Mike Odeh James is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
