Vatican City: In a sobering plea from the heart of conflict-ravaged Nigeria, Bishop Gabriel Dunia of Auchi has spoken out on the terrifying scale of violence plaguing his homeland violence so persistent and brutal that, he says, fear itself has become a deadly affliction. "Fear is as strong as death," the bishop lamented during his recent visit to the Vatican, where he appealed for urgent global solidarity and tangible support.
Nigeria continues to face relentless assaults from heavily armed groups known locally as bandits or Fulani militias who raid villages, torch homes, kidnap civilians, and slaughter entire families. Bishop Dunia stressed that the violence has no single explanation. "Some say it’s about religion, others blame ethnic rivalry or land grabs," he said. "But one thing is clear ransom money is fueling something far more sinister."
The bishop described a landscape of terror, where attackers operate with military precision, often dressed in camouflage and riding motorcycles. "They strike without warning on roads, in fields, even inside people’s homes. They kidnap, they burn, they kill. Some victims never return. Others are released after families sell everything they own to raise ransom," he said.
Pope Leo XIV recently offered prayers during his June 15 Angelus, specifically mentioning the rural Christian communities in Nigeria’s Benue State who have been relentlessly targeted. Just days before, over 200 people were massacred there. The Pope’s call for “security, justice, and peace” was welcomed by Bishop Dunia as a powerful reminder that the international Church stands with Nigeria’s suffering faithful.
Despite the barrage of attacks, Nigeria’s Christian youth remain remarkably steadfast. “They’re not giving up,” the bishop affirmed. “Even with the danger, young people are still joining the priesthood.” He recounted harrowing incidents one seminarian recently killed, another kidnapped, and a young boy shot during an abduction. In response, the diocese has resorted to hiring private security for seminaries, even though some local police demand bribes just to provide basic protection.
Violence has displaced thousands. Entire villages lie in ruins, and many families now crowd into under-resourced refugee camps or wander through unfamiliar cities with no means of livelihood. “Some have lost their homes not once, but multiple times,” Bishop Dunia said. “Every time they rebuild, they are uprooted again. They live in constant fear.”
While Bishop Dunia acknowledged the support of his regional governor who vowed to protect civilians he also expressed deep concerns about corruption and complicity among security forces. “We can’t always trust those tasked with our safety,” he said, citing fears of former Boko Haram fighters infiltrating government ranks.
The diocese, meanwhile, continues to do what it can: holding awareness meetings, encouraging mutual vigilance, and calling for unity. But with attackers wielding military-grade weapons and communities left defenceless, their efforts are insufficient.
To Nigeria’s youth, Bishop Dunia offered a message of both caution and courage: “Be vigilant, stay brave, and remain aware.” But his words to the international community were more urgent: “We need help. Not just words. Action. The situation is beyond what we can manage alone.”
As the violence escalates, Bishop Dunia’s voice carries a stark truth that in many parts of Nigeria, fear has become as constant and destructive as the violence itself. His message to the world is clear: this is not just Nigeria’s burden. It is a global call to conscience.