“Ongoing Benue, Plateau States’ Massacres Vindicate You,” Ogebe Tells Bishop Anagbe, Other U.S. Congressional Witnesses Targeted With Threats

  • Ogebe laments threats against him by Nigerian Embassy Washington DC

Emmanuel Ogebe Esq, the convener of U.S.-Nigeria Law group and one of those who testified at the U.S. Congressional hearing on killings and religious persecution in Nigeria has written a message of support to Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, telling him that the “ongoing Benue and Plateau States’ massacres vindicate you.”

Ogebe, Bishop Anagbe and Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula, a Catholic priest and Coordinator of the FJDP (Faithful Journey Development Program) have been targeted by the Nigerian government over their testimonies before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on the human rights situation in Nigeria’s North Central region.

During his testimony at the HTAC, the Bishop had called for Nigeria to be reinstated on the list of Countries of Particular Concern, issued each year by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom under the Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

At the United Kingdom (UK) parliament on March 25, 2025, Bishop Anagbe bemoaned the mass killings of Christians by Islamist extremists and militant Fulani herdsmen in Benue State, saying that it threatens the Church’s entire presence in the affected areas and potentially even in the entire country.

Anagbe, who visited UK as guest of Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), told Westminster parliamentarians on March 25, 2025 that militants had torched his people’s homes and forced them to flee to Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in the region, alleging that Islamist extremists and Fulani herdsmen had targeted Christians in Makurdi and elsewhere in Benue State with farmers driven from their land, churches burned and priests, religious and lay members killed. 

According to him: “The militant Fulani herdsmen bear (down) on defenceless villagers without consequence. They follow orders to conquer, kill and occupy. They attack even those who have managed to escape into our IDP camps.

“When we call for help to the Police and the Army, they do not come. At the end of 2024, several villages were warned by the attackers of the upcoming violence, and the leaders called the police for defence, ahead of time,” he said.“But they did not come, and the Christmas massacres, [having become] almost customary, took place, killing hundreds in Plateau and Benue, with the worst massacre claiming 47 lives.”

In his letter to Bishop Anagbe, Ogebe said: “I wish to commend you for courageously proclaiming liberty to those that are bound. You have been one of the candid voices re this genocide and you’re greatly appreciated. Indeed you were among the pantheon of humanity’s heroic humanitarians who prodded the conscience of mankind concerning these horrific atrocities.

“Please accept my commiseration for the vicious attacks on you even  though what you said is the daylight truth.

“My personal experience is instructive as I had clear evidence that the Nigerian embassy was in violation of both domestic US law and engaging in conduct incongruent with their diplomatic status under international law by witness intimidation and retaliation for my testifying in the US Congress about human rights in Nigeria like you as was pointed out last week by US congressional Africa subcommittee chairman Rep Chris Smith.

“The Nigerian embassy in Washington at the highest levels authorized my punishment and silencing for/from speaking in “Congress,” specifically stating in a memo, ”Mr. Ogebe derives pleasure from trash-talking Nigeria on social media, in the Chambers of the United States Congressand other public places across the United States.

“More worrisome, the Charge d’ affaires (Acting Ambassador) of Nigeria Hakeem Balogun made the following chilling request, “Going forward, to prevent Mr. Ogebe, who is a Nigerian citizen, from making further derogatory comments that are inimical to the image of Nigeria, Government may consider taking punitive action against him, including withdrawal of his privilege to carry a Nigerian passport.”

“Please know that this is a criminal offense and in fact conduct incongruent with their diplomatic status.

“18 USC 1505 provides in pertinent part that, “Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede . . . the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress— Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years or, if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both.”

“Similarly 18 USC 1513 states, “(b)Whoever knowingly engages in any conduct and thereby causes bodily injury to another person or damages the tangible property of another person, or threatens to do so, with intent to retaliate against any person for—

(1)the attendance of a witness or party at an official proceeding, or any testimony given or any record, document, or other object produced by a witness in an official proceeding; or

or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

(d)There is extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section.“

“Should you find any threat to your person by the Nigerian government, please feel free to contact me, the US embassy in Nigeria and the US Congress. The extra-territoriality of the offense means that even acts of retaliation against you in Nigeria fall under US jurisdiction.

“Even if they do not face do not face earthly justice, divine justice will never elude them.

“The government Minister Aisha Alhassan who thought she was god and attacked me for testifying in the US Congress is now no more. 

“My Lord Bishop, please take heart. These Egyptians you see today, you will see no more! Neither do I see mine anymore.

“Indeed you have been fully vindicated in just one week. More than 100 innocent Christians were slain in Plateau since last week and killings have continued daily this week in Bassa LG of Plateau state on Monday, Otobi Benue State on Tuesday and Emici also Benue State reportedly today. 

“May the good Lord, guide, guard and protect you and may you not lose your reward for speaking out for the least of these. Blessings and best wishes.”

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