By Abah Anthony John
ACI Africa, Apr 3, 2025 / 06:00 am
Participants in peaceful protests held March 25–27 in Nigeria’s Diocese of Auchi emphasized the need for improved security and called for an end to abductions targeting clergy that have resulted in the deaths of some abductees.
Speaking to ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, on March 27, the final day of the protests, a group of protesters called for the enforcement of an anti-grazing law to curb the activities of armed herdsmen suspected of carrying out attacks.
“We mothers are crying! Our children are being killed. Our daughters are being raped. We can’t go to the farm, we can’t go to the market, we can’t even go to church without fear. We need help now!” Monica Nosa told ACI Africa.
“Hunger is killing us, and insecurity is making it worse. If we had security, we could farm and feed our families. But now, we live in constant fear. This must stop!” Nosa lamented.
Another protestor, Osagie Emafidon, agreed: “The government must pass and implement the anti-grazing policy so our forests can be cleared of these criminals. People should be able to go to their farms without fear of being kidnapped or killed.”
Emafidon called for urgent deployment of security forces to protect vulnerable communities, explaining: “Fulani terrorists are now invading homes. They break down doors and abduct people from their own bedrooms. This shows a total failure of security in our region.”
James Ekemhenkhoele, also a participant in the peaceful protests, expressed concern about the ritual dimension of the killings, revealing that the killers now trade in human parts.
Addressing Insecurity in Nigeria: A Call for Action
Even on the farms, they can just come to the farm and kill, and then they remove parts of the body… and sell them,” Ekemhenkhoele told ACI Africa.
The recent wave of abductions and killings in Nigeria has sparked outrage and calls for increased security measures. The protests have included online campaigns, days of mourning, and peaceful marches to demand action from the Nigerian government.
Mamadou Suleyman, a special adviser to the local government, has acknowledged the security challenge and outlined efforts to address it. “The executive chairman has been in Benin for the past three days addressing this security crisis,” Suleyman stated. “Efforts are being made to tackle the issue, and a special squad has been redeployed to Auchi. We ask for patience as we continue working on this problem.”
Father Clement Anaedevha, the director of the Justice Development and Peace Commission in the diocese, expressed concern about the trauma experienced by priests and Christians due to the persistent kidnappings and killings. In an interview with ACI Africa, Anaedevha highlighted the fear and restlessness gripping the community, warning of a potential outbreak of retaliatory violence if the situation is not addressed.
Speaking about the lack of effective policing, Anaedevha recounted a recent kidnapping incident where authorities failed to track the perpetrators despite using the same phone number for ten days. He expressed frustration with the security regime and warned that people may take matters into their own hands if the government fails to act.
As the community grapples with escalating insecurity, the call for action grows louder. The need for increased security measures and swift government intervention is crucial to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all citizens. The time for change is now.
