CAN says herdsmen have destroyed 500 churches

The Benue State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Akpen Leva, has claimed that attacks by herdsmen in the state have led to the destruction of over 500 churches.

He made this disclosure while speaking in Makurdi, the state capital, on Monday, March 13, 2018, as he alleged that the crisis, which dates back to 2011, has led to the displacement of worshippers all over the state.

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.

"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."

Benue's herdsmen crisis

Benue has been troubled by violent killings this year as a spate of attacks by suspected cattle herders have led to the death of over 100 victims.

At least 24 people were killed during a recent attack carried out on March 5 by herdsmen in Omusu Edimoga, a village in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.

The bodies of 73 men, women and children were buried at a mass burial ceremony organised by the state government on January 11 after several attacks by cattle herders.