The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, has urged Catholic women to remain steadfast in defending the Church and the Christian faith amid persistent attacks that have reportedly forced the closure of 25 parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
Aondoakaa made the call while addressing the 2026 Diocesan Seminar of the Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWO), Makurdi Diocese, held at St. Dominic’s Parish, Sachi, Makurdi.
The former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice expressed concern over the reported closure of the parishes, saying repeated attacks had forced priests and parishioners to abandon their communities and seek refuge in the Benue State capital.
He urged the women, whom he described as mothers of the Church, to rise above political differences and remain committed to protecting the Church, its leadership and the Christian faith, irrespective of the prevailing challenges. Aondoakaa also commended the Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, for consistently speaking out against attacks on communities in Benue State.
He praised the bishop’s efforts to draw international attention to the plight of affected communities and seek justice for victims of violence. According to Aondoakaa, Anagbe had faced criticism and vilification for raising concerns over what he described as an agenda to invade and occupy communities in the state.
He, however, said the bishop had remained resolute in speaking against the situation. The PDP candidate described the seminar as timely, expressing hope that deliberations and recommendations from the gathering would produce positive outcomes for the Church and society.
In June 2025, Catholic priests in Makurdi Diocese reported that at least 15 parishes had been shut down following attacks on communities, with the violence also resulting in deaths and displacement.
Anagbe subsequently said the number of parishes closed since 2018 had risen to 17. Earlier, the Makurdi Diocesan President of CWO, Comfort Kucha, and the Chairman of the seminar’s Central Planning Committee, Janice Pine, described the gathering as an opportunity for formation, reflection, renewal and action.
They said the seminar was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of their Christian vocation and equip them to become more effective defenders of human dignity and promoters of peace.