Middle Belt Christian Ministers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Rising Attacks
The Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers Forum (MBICMF) has sounded a grave warning over what it described as worsening insecurity and targeted attacks against its members and communities across several states in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
In a strongly worded statement, the forum called the attention of the Federal Government, the international community, civil society organisations, and concerned Nigerians to what it termed an alarming pattern of violence that has left many communities devastated in recent months.
According to the group, the region has witnessed mass killings leading to large-scale burials in multiple states, abduction of worshippers during church services, and the killing of some victims even after kidnappers had taken them captive. The forum also lamented the burning, vandalisation, and outright destruction of churches, alongside the displacement of entire communities now grappling with trauma and humanitarian distress.
The MBICMF expressed particular concern that in many of the reported incidents, early warning signals had allegedly been communicated to relevant security agencies ahead of the attacks. The group, however, regretted that preventive action was often not taken in time.
“In most situations, security intervention comes only after lives have been lost and properties destroyed,” the statement noted, while acknowledging that security operatives have, on a few occasions, carried out rescue efforts. It added, however, that such responses have remained inconsistent and largely inadequate to stem the tide of violence.
The forum stressed that the foremost responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, warning that the continued recurrence of attacks despite advance intelligence has heightened fear and anxiety among residents of the affected communities.
The ministers further clarified that their past silence should not be misconstrued as weakness.
“Our restraint over the years has been rooted in faith, patience, and respect for lawful authority — not fear or cowardice,” the statement said. “However, the persistent loss of innocent lives and destruction of places of worship can no longer be met with indifference.”
The group therefore issued a series of demands to relevant authorities. It urged the Federal and State Governments to immediately reinforce security presence in vulnerable communities and called on security agencies to act decisively on early warning intelligence to prevent attacks before they occur.
The forum also appealed to the international community and human rights organisations to urgently focus attention on what it described as a worsening humanitarian and religious freedom situation in the Middle Belt.
In addition, the ministers demanded independent investigations into what they called repeated security lapses surrounding the attacks.
While reaffirming its commitment to peace, justice, and lawful engagement, the MBICMF maintained that it could no longer remain silent in the face of continued killings, abductions, and displacement of its members and host communities.
The statement concluded with a call on government at all levels to rise to their constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens and restoring public confidence.
“The world must know that the suffering of our communities is real, persistent, and unacceptable,” the forum said.
The statement was signed by Rev. John Nash, National Chairman of the Middle Belt Indigenous Christian Ministers Forum.
