HERDSMEN ATTACK: OVER 500 CHURCHES AFFECTED IN BENUE

Benue state chairman of Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) Reverend Akpen Leva, on Tuesday, March 13 disclosed that herdsmen invasion in the
state has led to the destruction of over
500 churches in parts of the state.

This disclosure was made in Makurdi by the cleric, who noted that aside
churches, missionary schools located within the affected churches, pastoral
centres and homes, clinics and rehabilitation homes, were also lost to the crisis.

Reverend Leva stated
that most worshipers at the affected churches were also displaced as a result
of the crisis, which dates back to 2011

He said: “The destruction cuts across catholic, pentecostal, NKST, anglican and several other churches located in areas
affected by the crisis.

“The level of destruction is actually worrisome and that is the more reason
why there is every need for the federal government to consider availing these
churches some form of compensation, so that we can rebuild the effected structures and also effect repairs on others.”

The cleric appealed to the federal government to direct the military and
sister-security agencies to stop herdsmen from further incursions into Benue communities, adding that the church in
the state had been badly affected by the crisis.

He added: “Majority of those affected in the crisis are Christians, which means that the church also carries the burden of
contributing its widow’s mite to the upkeep of the close to 170,000 persons
displaced in the state as a result of the crisis.

The situation in Benue state at the moment is pathetic; the state government has been overwhelmed because of the magnitude of the devastation and the
number of the displaced.

“There is certainly no way a state government can cope with the kind of
number of IDPs the government is catering
for at the moment.”