Enough of the bloodshed -Bishops, PFN

• Tell terrorists: You can’t build future on tears of innocent people

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja and John Adams, Minna

Nigeria’s Catholic bishops and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have raised a common voice against the worsening bloodletting across the country, declaring the killings and abductions of Nigerians in their homes and places of worship intolerable.

The Christian leaders condemned the abduction of Muslim worshippers in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State and the killing of 47 people in Ukum, Benue State, where another 17 were reportedly critically wounded, as police launched a major operation to rescue the abductees.

Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, to coordinate the rescue operation, involving tactical teams, counter-terrorism units, the police air wing and other security agencies.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which put the number of worshippers abducted in Borgu at more than 60, described the escalating killings and kidnappings as “intolerable” and lamented what it called an unabated trail of blood and terror across the country.

In a statement signed by CBCN President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, the bishops said Nigerians continued to be slaughtered, traumatised and displaced with impunity in mosques, churches, marketplaces and even their homes.

They expressed solidarity with Muslims in Niger State and demanded the immediate and safe release of the abducted worshippers, declaring that an attack on any place of worship was an attack on humanity.

The bishops also commiserated with families of those killed in Benue and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Joining the outcry, the PFN in Niger State described the invasion of Muslim prayer grounds and abduction of worshippers as “wicked” and “heartless.”

Niger State PFN Chairman and Set Man, House on the Rock, Minna, Pastor PeteRock Sadiq, said the Christian community could not remain indifferent simply because the victims were Muslims.

“Whether it is a mosque or a church, an attack on a place of worship is an attack on all of us, and we condemn it in strong terms,” he said.

“A house of worship is sacred ground. It is where a people lay down their guard before God; to storm it while people are on their knees, to turn a place of prayer into a place of capture, is an assault not only on those communities.”

Sadiq said no political, ethnic or religious consideration could justify the attack. “There is no political, ethnic or religious reading of this that makes it anything other than evil.

“Our hearts are with the families of Borgu who are waiting for news of their fathers, sons, husbands and neighbours.

“We stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters in this grief without reservation. We call on the Federal and State Governments to see to the safe return of every abducted person.”

The PFN consequently directed churches across Niger State to pray for the abductees.

“We call on every church in Niger State to lift Borgu in prayer this week,” Sadiq said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies involved in efforts to rescue the victims and pledged the support of the Christian community for measures aimed at restoring security to rural communities.

The communities of Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida and Gidan-Zana in Borgu came under attack on August 21 while Jumu’at prayers were underway.

Accounts from the communities said gunmen surrounded worshippers and marched several of them into the forest after prayers, including men, women and a village head.

About 20 people who reportedly attempted to escape were said to have been shot dead, while others were abducted.

The police, however, said yesterday that the exact number of abductees had yet to be established and that security agencies were working with the affected communities to verify the figure.

Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, said a full-scale rescue operation had commenced on the directive of the IGP. Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu, the commissioner said police personnel and specialised units had been mobilised for the operation.

They include tactical teams, counter-terrorism units, the police air wing and other specialised formations working with sister security agencies.

As the rescue operation got underway, the Catholic bishops challenged the Federal and state governments, security chiefs and political leaders to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians, insisting that their responsibility would remain unfulfilled 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 of the citizens are guaranteed,.

The Bishops demanded proactive, intelligence-led operations capable of identifying and neutralising criminal elements before they strike.

They also called for the swift prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors, irrespective of status or affiliation, warning that impunity would only embolden criminals and encourage further bloodshed.

Turning directly to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and their sponsors, the bishops declared that no grievance or cause could justify the slaughter of innocent Nigerians.

“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, they warned those behind the bloodshed: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Despite the deteriorating security situation, the bishops urged Nigerians not to surrender to despair but to remain steadfast in prayer for peace.

“May the God of peace restore order to our nation, comfort those who mourn, and touch the hearts of those who inflict pain,” the CBCN prayed.