Jonathan Nwokpor
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The recent call by Catholic Bishops for the declaration of a State of Emergency in Benue State has drawn criticism from the northern advocacy group, the Pathfinders Arewa Project.
The group cautioned that seeing the issue from an ethnic or religious perspective would exacerbate tensions in Nigeria’s multireligious community.
The group noted the serious concerns raised by the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, or CBCN, regarding ongoing insecurity and the terrible death toll in Benue, according to a statement released by its chairman, Abdulhamid Abdullahi Jakadan.
However, it denounced the Bishops’ news release, claiming it was founded on false information.
“While we share the pain of affected communities and support all efforts to bring peace and justice, portraying the crisis solely through a religious or ethnic framework is dangerous and misleading,” Jakadan said.
Recall that in response to the current wave of murders in Benue, bishops urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly proclaim a state of emergency in the region.
Jakadan claims that the security crisis in Benue is not caused by religious persecution or Islamization, as some have claimed, but rather by long-standing land conflicts, environmental degradation, and the inadequacy of conflict resolution procedures.
The group urged the Bishops to acknowledge the wider national security challenges, emphasizing that violence has been experienced by both Christians and Muslims in states including Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, and Plateau.
“The claim of an Islamisation campaign in Nigeria is unfounded and dangerous. Nigeria is a secular state with constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom. Such claims, especially when echoed in foreign forums, risk damaging national unity and distorting global understanding of our situation.”
“If a State of Emergency was not declared in Zamfara or Katsina—where hundreds have been killed or abducted—why should it be considered for Benue? Such selective advocacy raises concerns about partisanship,”the group said.
It also cautioned religious leaders against being used as political tools, particularly by those who are allegedly trying to subvert state leadership. Instead, they should concentrate on improving security infrastructure, fortifying local conflict resolution procedures, and encouraging inclusive communication across racial and religious divides.
“Justice must always be pursued, but with truth, restraint, and responsibility. The CBCN should be a force for unity, not division,”the group added.
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