Anger is boiling over across Nigeria as citizens criticize prominent Christian leaders for maintaining silence amid the rising wave of killings in Benue State. The growing outrage comes in response to relentless attacks, allegedly by armed Fulani herdsmen, that have devastated communities, claimed countless lives, and ignited fears of religious and ethnic cleansing in parts of Northern Nigeria.
The chorus of condemnation has grown louder on social media, where many Nigerians are questioning the conspicuous quietness of some of the country’s most powerful religious voices. The criticism comes in stark contrast to the Vatican’s recent outcry, where the Pope publicly decried the bloodshed and offered prayers for the victims highlighting a glaring silence from Nigerian clergy.
For many, the failure of domestic faith leaders to speak out is both puzzling and painful. Prominent figures such as Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Pastor Jerry Eze have come under fire from concerned Christians who believe that their influence could pressure the federal government into taking stronger action to halt the violence.
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Observers argue that what’s unfolding in Benue is not an isolated crisis. Just weeks ago, similar attacks in Plateau State left Christian communities reeling from mass killings and destruction. These coordinated assaults have painted a worrying picture of systematic targeting of Christian populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and Northern regions, fueling suspicions of religious persecution wrapped in political inaction.
Critics say the silence of key church leaders risks normalizing the violence and emboldening those behind it. With rising insecurity, displaced families, and growing distrust in government intervention, many believe it is time for spiritual leaders to rise beyond prayers and offer bold, public advocacy for justice and security.
Nigerians are calling for a unified moral voice; one that doesn’t wait for international leaders like the Pope to raise alarm. The demand is clear: speak up, stand up, and hold the government accountable before the bloodshed spirals further out of control.
