The Christian Rights Agenda, CRA, a faith-based advocacy organisation, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to urgently review its counter-terrorism strategy, expressing grave concern over renewed violence in parts of Benue and Plateau states.
In a statement issued in Abuja, CRA revealed that no fewer than 80 communities in the two states are reportedly under the control of armed Fulani groups, whom it described as terrorists. The group warned that these attacks are increasingly endangering the lives of Christians and other innocent Nigerians.
“There has been a resurgence of attacks in Benue and Plateau over the past three weeks, resulting in numerous deaths, widespread destruction of property, and the displacement of many families,”; the statement read.
Describing the violence as coordinated and bearing the hallmarks of terrorism, CRA condemned what it views as an agenda driven by religious intolerance and chaos.
“These attacks appear to be well-orchestrated acts of terrorism, intended to entrench violence and anarchy. This is unacceptable,”; said Reverend Kallamu Musa Dikwa, CRA’s Secretary General.
Dikwa disclosed that CRA has dispatched field officers to Benue, Plateau, and Borno states to conduct on-the-ground assessments. “Preliminary findings confirm that over 80 communities have been overtaken by Fulani terrorists,”; he stated.
He also revealed that the organisation is developing a comprehensive database to document the persecution of Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s recent directive to security agencies to intensify efforts against insecurity, CRA emphasised the need for those orders to be enforced with real consequences.
“Such directives must go beyond political optics. They should be fully implemented, and any failures must be met with appropriate sanctions to deter future negligence,”; the statement noted.
CRA further urged state governors to rise above politics and address the killings with sincerity and courage.
“It is time for leaders to call a spade a spade and not hide behind political convenience while communities suffer,”; Dikwa added.
