The President of the NKST Church, Rev Ambassador Nendaga Asôngo Adure JP, has decried the persistent killings in Benue State, resulting in the death of over 100 of his members.
He alleged that the killings are perpetrated by Fulani militia, describing it as a national emergency that requires urgent and coordinated intervention by the Federal Government.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NKST Church Headquarters in Mkar-Gboko, the cleric said the Church was mourning the loss of over 100 of its members, murdered between Easter Friday and the present day.
Among the victims were Rev. Benjamin Teryima Iorngaghem and his wife, who were killed in their residence just two days ago.
“We gather here today with heavy hearts to address a matter of utmost national concern. “The deteriorating state of security in our nation, particularly the heartbreaking and persistent killings in Benue State, cannot continue unchecked,” Rev Adure said.
He said the killings have pushed many pastors and their families out of their communities, leading to the closure of several NKST churches.
According to the Church’s estimates, over 300 people were killed in a single attack on Easter Friday. Since the start of the year, more than 600 lives have been lost in various communities, including Guma, Logo, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, and Otukpo LGAS.
Rev. Adure also revealed that more than 1.5 million people, including 400,000 NKST members, have been displaced, many of whom now live in makeshift IDP camps with little support.
The NKST’s humanitarian arm has distributed food items to 34 church classes, covering over 204 local consistories.
Describing the Church as a bruised and broken body, Rev. Adure lamented the closure of 247 NKST churches due to insecurity and the repeated targeting of Christian clergy.
“This press conference is not just to raise alarms. It is a clarion call to conscience and leadership,” he said.
“We cannot, and must not, hide the identity of these Fulani herdsmen and normalise bloodshed.”
The NKST Church is demanding a four-pronged response from the Federal Government: a declaration of a State of Emergency on security in Benue State, a comprehensive compensation and resettlement plan for affected communities, security protection for churches and religious leaders, and a dialogue and reconciliation framework involving traditional, spiritual, and civil society leaders.
Rev Adure also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Benue State Governor Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia to act swiftly in addressing the crisis, warning that history would not be kind to those who remained indifferent.
In a final note of solidarity, the NKST Church extended condolences to the global Catholic community over Pope Francis‘s passing, saying, “May the Lord console His people.
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