Islamic Groups condemn Bishop Anagbe’s testimony before US Congress, seek probe

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) and the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) have criticized Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, over his claims at the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Africa Subcommittee.

In separate statements issued by Dr. Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, Secretary General of SCSN, and Disu Kamor, Executive Chairman of MPAC, the organizations accused the bishop of spreading falsehoods aimed at inciting religious tensions in Nigeria.

They asked the federal government to investigate and prosecute him for his comments.

During his testimony before the US Congress on March 12, 2025, Bishop Anagbe alleged that Christians in Benue and other parts of Nigeria were being indiscriminately killed and that schools in 12 northern states were shut down during Ramadan as part of an Islamization agenda.

However, Dr. Baba-Ahmad dismissed these claims as baseless, stating that the bishop’s remarks were not only misleading but also a deliberate attempt to fuel religious conflict.

“The bishop’s claim that ‘2% of Fulani Islamists have taken over lands occupied by 98% Christians’ is not only false but highly misleading,” he said.

He further explained that the bishop’s accusations implied that the Benue State Governor, a Catholic priest himself, was complicit in the alleged conspiracy.

“Clearly, Bishop Anagbe’s claims are contradictory and appear to be aimed at fostering distrust and inciting religious tensions. The SCSN remains committed to countering these malicious lies that seek to divide the nation,” Baba-Ahmad added.

He cited multiple reports from organizations such as the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) and the Global Terrorism Index, which suggest that Nigeria’s security challenges are driven by insurgency, banditry, and ethnic conflicts affecting both Christians and Muslims.

“The violence in Nigeria does not exclusively target Christians. Both Christian and Muslim civilians have been victims of these conflicts,” he said.