By Jude Atemanke

Wukari, 13 February, 2026 / 11:57 pm (ACI Africa).

The Catholic Diocese of Wukari in Nigeria has staged a protest mass killings in parts of Southern Taraba State, condemning the violence as “heartbreaking carnage” and urging the government to take decisive action to halt the bloodshed and protect affected communities.

Carrying placards of various inscriptions, the protesters expressed frustration over what they described as indifference of competent authorities.

In a statement read to the press following the peaceful protests on Thursday, February 12, an official of the Nigerian Catholic Diocese said they organized the protest to draw attention to the crisis affecting Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, as well as parts of Ussa and Donga Local Government Areas.

“It has become expedient for us as a diocese to carry out this solidarity walk and to address you on the lingering and heartbreaking carnage that has been going on in Wukari Diocese,” the Vicar Pastoral of the Nigerian Episcopal See, Fr. James Yaro, said.

“More than 100 persons have been killed so far, several others injured with various degrees of injuries, while over 200 communities and Churches have been destroyed and the residents, numbering over 90,000 Catholics, displaced,” the Catholic Priest lamented.

He added, “The suspected Fulani militia who carry out these attacks usually come in the wee hours, mostly while people are sleeping, and launch the attacks, killing anyone in sight and setting houses and harvests ablaze.”

He cited the latest incident in Mchia village in Chanchanji Ward on February 10 where he said over ten people were killed and some houses destroyed.

Fr. Yaro further lamented that farmlands have been seized and residents attacked for attempting to access their farms. 

“The suspected Fulani militia have also taken over the entire farmlands of the people and would attack anybody who dares to visit their farm in an attempt to get food for their family. Some women have been raped in the process of doing so,” he recounted, adding that there have been cases where roads were blocked and “unsuspecting and harmless farmers” killed.

Describing the situation as an “existential threat to life,” Fr. Yaro said the violence poses “serious challenge to the growth of the Christian faith and infrastructural development of the area,” noting that in some instances Priests’ residences and Church buildings have been targeted and destroyed. 

“This crisis does not only cost lives and property. It also greatly infringes on the religious freedom of Christians in the affected communities,” the Vicar Pastoral of Wukari Diocese said.

While expressing appreciation for the Taraba State Government and security agencies for interventions in other parts of the state, Fr. Yaro called for similar urgent action in the affected areas of Takum, Ussa, and Donga to “restore peace in the affected communities.”

“As a matter of urgency, adequate security personnel should be mobilized and deployed to the hinterlands where this carnage is taking place unabated,” the Nigerian Catholic Priest said.

He said, the government at all levels must be deliberate in ensuring security guarantees and bringing enablers and perpetrators of “these dastardly acts or heinous crimes against humanity”.

 to justice through their immediate arrest and prosecution, irrespective of their ethnic, political, and religious affiliations.”

Fr. Yaro also called for immediate humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons, listing urgent needs such as food, bedding, toiletries, medical care, and temporary shelter to prevent a looming humanitarian disaster.

He further appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and politicians to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at fostering lasting peace in Southern Taraba.

Warning of further steps if the violence persists, Fr. Yaro stated that if the government fails to guarantee the security of lives and property, it may have “no option but to seek help from the International Community.”

However, he continued, “Bishop, Priests, religious and the laity of the Catholic Diocese of Wukari are not discouraged, but convinced that with God on their side and with sustained prayers and collaborative efforts between the Church and the State, lasting peace can be achieved.”

“We continue to pledge our relentless spiritual support to the government, the traditional rulers, and security personnel for God’s continuous guidance and protection upon them as they carry out their constitutional and administrative responsibilities for the common good,” Fr. Yaro said.

SOURCE ACI Africa. Published with permission.