By Faith Chondol
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has demanded an immediate end to killings, kidnappings and displacement across the country.
The bishops made the demand in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, following deadly attacks in Niger and Benue states and renewed violence in Plateau State Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The statement, titled “Stop The Slaughter In Borgu And Ukum, Stop The Killings In Nigeria,” was signed by CBCN President and Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso.
The bishops said Nigeria’s worsening security crisis had reached an “intolerable crest,” with citizens being killed and abducted in places of worship, marketplaces and their homes.
They were reacting to the reported abduction of more than 60 worshippers from a mosque in Borgu, Niger State, and the killing of 47 people in Ukum, Benue State, where 17 others were reportedly critically wounded.
The CBCN condemned the attacks and expressed solidarity with the victims, their families and the affected communities.
The bishops particularly stood with Muslim worshippers affected by the Niger incident, calling for the immediate and safe release of those abducted.
“An attack on any place of worship is an attack on our collective humanity,” the bishops said.
They urged the Federal Government, state governments, security chiefs and political leaders to intensify efforts to protect citizens and ensure that Nigerians can live safely.
The religious leaders acknowledged that some security efforts were being made but insisted that authorities must adopt a more proactive approach to tackling the country’s security challenges.
They called for intelligence-led operations capable of identifying and dismantling criminal networks before they carry out attacks.
The bishops also demanded the swift prosecution of those responsible for killings and kidnappings, including individuals and organisations allegedly sponsoring criminal activities.
“Bring perpetrators and their sponsors, regardless of their status or affiliations, to justice swiftly, as impunity fuels repetition,” they said.
The CBCN further appealed to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and their sponsors to end the violence, stressing that no cause could justify the taking of innocent lives.
The bishops’ call comes amid renewed violence in Plateau State, particularly in Mangu Local Government Area, where several deadly attacks have been reported in recent weeks.
At least 25 people were killed in an overnight attack in Plateau State on August 18, according to Reuters, while local and Nigerian media reports put the death toll from the Bin-Per community attack at between 26 and 28.
Several houses and farmlands were also reportedly destroyed during the attack.
On August 24, two security operatives were reportedly killed and their rifles seized after gunmen attacked communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Earlier in August, attacks on several Berom communities in Plateau reportedly left two people dead, another injured and several houses burnt.
The Federal Ministry of Information also reported that at least 23 people were killed in an August 17 attack on Jwak Maitumbi community in Mangu, with about 45 residential shelters reportedly destroyed.
Against the backdrop of the continued violence, the CBCN urged authorities to focus on preventing attacks rather than responding only after lives and property had been lost.
The bishops urged government officials, security chiefs and political leaders not to relent until the safety and welfare of Nigerians were guaranteed.
They also appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope, urging citizens to remain steadfast in prayer for peace, security and divine intervention.
The CBCN prayed for the families of those killed, the recovery of the wounded and the safe return of the abducted worshippers.
The bishops concluded by calling for an end to the bloodshed and urging those responsible for the violence to abandon their attacks.
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