By Charles Igwe
The United States has expressed deep concern over reported threats against Catholic Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula, following their recent testimony before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the ongoing violence and alleged targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Bishop Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi and Fr. Ihyula reportedly detailed the humanitarian crisis and religiously motivated attacks in Benue and surrounding areas during their March 12 appearance before the U.S. Congress. However, their courage to speak out has allegedly placed them at risk.
According to the Catholic Register, the threats began even before Bishop Anagbe’s congressional address. Hours before his testimony, he received a 3 a.m. warning from a fellow bishop, who relayed that the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had cautioned him to “watch his words.” The report further disclosed that Fr. Ihyula received a message from an embassy in Abuja on March 28, indicating that there “might be” an arrest warrant waiting for Bishop Anagbe should he return to Nigeria.
Both clergymen have reportedly remained outside Nigeria since the incident, with concerns growing over their safety if they return.
Reacting to the situation, the United States Mission in Nigeria issued a statement via its official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, strongly condemning any form of intimidation or threats against the religious leaders.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is disturbed by this report of intimidation and threats against Nigerian religious leaders Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius because of their March 12 testimony before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on the human rights situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt,” the statement read.
The Mission emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democracy in both the U.S. and Nigeria. “No one should be subject to threats for exercising that right. We call on all actors to respect Bishop Anagbe’s and Father Remigius’s right to speak freely without fear of retribution or retaliation.”
