(Photo: Aid to the Church in Need)
A series of violent incidents has plagued Nigeria, prompting the Catholic Church to urge the government to intensify efforts to curb the unrest. The Pope has also voiced his unease regarding the escalating situation.
The country has witnessed numerous kidnappings and killings, with Christians often targeted by Islamist militias or armed gangs. Such attacks have become distressingly routine.
Previously, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe highlighted the frequent massacres during Christian celebrations, describing them as “customary” in some regions. Bishop John Bakeni further emphasized that the violence in certain areas has ” assumed genocidal character.”
In response to the ongoing crisis, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide emergency in November, promising to bolster police forces. On Christmas Day, the US launched airstrikes against Islamist camps in Nigeria. Despite these measures, the violence persisted.
January witnessed the tragic murder of a pastor and his family, the kidnapping of over 160 Christians during church services, and the massacre of numerous men by bandits.
In a more recent event, Father Nathaniel Asuwaye, a Catholic priest, was abducted on February 7. Just days before, a devastating attack by Jihadist militants in Kwara state claimed the lives of 160 Muslims, reportedly due to their refusal to accept a radical interpretation of Islam.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria stated, “The recurring carnage has become a stain on the conscience of our nation. How can it be justified that, outside of war, over 160 innocent civilians were slaughtered in one coordinated attack in Woro, Kwara State?
“How do we explain the repeated killings and abductions in Agwara and Tungan Gero in Niger State, the wiping out of entire farming communities in Katsina and Kaduna, and the ongoing violence in Borno? This is not ‘instability’ but a massacre allowed by silence and a betrayal of every Nigerian’s right to live in peace.”
The Nigerian government, the CSN insisted, must intensify efforts to thwart such atrocities, ensure justice for the perpetrators, and offer assistance to the survivors.
Pope Leo XIV, during his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer, addressed the turmoil in Nigeria.
“It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria leading to a heavy loss of life,” he said.
“I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism. I likewise hope that the competent authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
