Catholic Communicators Raise Alarm Over Incessant Killing Of Priests

By Ayodele Oni

Catholic Communicators in Nigeria under the auspices of SIGNIS have condemned  incessant killings of Priests and other innocent Nigerians by bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.

They said the increased attacks on Catholic Churches in recent times, which have led to the loss of several lives, including that of priests could spiral into violence that may have consequences on the peace and unity of the country.

The Catholic Communicators expressed more concern over the seeming silence of the Buhari administration and the Federal Government in the face of these attacks now.

This seeming silence, they noted does not in any way reassure Nigerians that the government is on top of the situation.

In a release signed by the President of the Association, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, and the General Secretary, Mr. Tony Agbugba, the group noted that the time has come for all Nigerians irrespective of their religious inclination to be more security conscious.

They particularly implored  Churches and Mosques to put in place stringent security measures that would enable them to defend the clergy, the worshippers, and the facilities henceforth.

The group is apparently troubled by the recent killings of two Catholic priests, Rev Frs. Christopher Odia of Auchi Diocese yesterday by his abductors and Bitrus Borigo of Kaduna Archdiocese, including the mauling of over 40 worshippers at Owo, Ondo State.

The group wondered why the bandits have suddenly picked interest in harassing, and killing harmless clergy and innocent worshippers that pose no danger or obstacle to anyone, rather than their desire to draw nearer their creator.

They implored security agencies at the federal and state levels to intensify efforts to bring the killers to book, while also  step up efforts to safeguard the lives of the citizens.

SIGNIS Nigeria equally challenged the legislative arm of government to explore the possibility of enacting a law that would enable Nigerians to own arms to defend themselves and their families against arbitrary attacks by gunmen as is now being championed by the Zamfara State government.