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Condemns Borgu abduction, Benue massacre
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has decried the worsening spate of killings and abductions across the country, describing the situation as an “intolerable” breakdown of security.
The bishops particularly condemned the recent abduction of more than 60 worshippers from a mosque in Borgu, Niger State, and the killing of 47 innocent citizens in Ukum, Benue State, where 17 others were reportedly critically wounded.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the CBCN President, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, Archbishop of Kaduna, the bishops expressed “heavy hearts and deep sorrow” over what they described as an unabated trail of blood and terror across Nigeria.
The Catholic leaders said Nigerians continued to be slaughtered, traumatised and displaced with impunity, whether in mosques, churches, marketplaces or in the safety of their homes.
The bishops commiserated with families who lost loved ones in Benue State and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.
They also expressed solidarity with Muslims in Niger State and across Nigeria, calling for the immediate and safe release of the abducted worshippers, insisting that an attack on any place of worship is an attack on collective humanity.
The CBCN called on governments at all levels, security chiefs and political leaders to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians, stressing that the responsibility of the authorities would not be fulfilled until the security and welfare of citizens were guaranteed.
“While we commend some efforts being made, we urge that you do not give up on this responsibility until the security and welfare for the citizens are guaranteed,” the bishops said.
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They urged security agencies to deploy proactive and intelligence-led strategies to identify and neutralise criminal elements before they strike.
The bishops also demanded the swift prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors, regardless of their status or affiliations, warning that impunity would fuel the repetition of violent attacks.
The Catholic leaders equally appealed to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and their sponsors to stop the bloodshed, stressing that no cause could justify the killing of innocent people.
“Human life belongs to God alone, and no cause justifies this cruelty. You cannot build a future on the tears of innocent persons,” they said.
Quoting Galatians 6:7, the bishops warned perpetrators that they would ultimately reap the consequences of their actions: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
The CBCN urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country but to remain steadfast in prayer for peace, security, and divine intervention.
“May the God of peace restore order to our nation, comfort those who mourn, and touch the hearts of those who inflict pain,” the bishops prayed.
