Middle Belt Killings: Terrorists Kill 24 Villagers in Benue

…Governor Alia talks tough, described the attack as “unacceptable”

By Steven Kefas, Kaduna

Dozens of people were killed in a fresh attack on a remote village in Nigeria’s Benue state on Saturday. The gunmen suspect to be Fulani terrorists, opened fire on the villagers in Akpuuna village, killing 24 people and injuring several others.

The attack is the latest in a series of deadly attacks in Benue state, where violent herders have continued to invade farming communities in recent years. The state has seen more than 100 people killed in violence this year alone.

In the latest attack, the gunmen arrived in the village around midday and opened fire on the villagers, who were caught unawares. The attack lasted for more than two hours before the gunmen fled the scene.

Local officials said that the victims included women and children. The names of the victims have not been released.

The attack has sparked outrage in Benue state, with many people calling for the government to do more to protect the people.

The state governor, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has condemned the attack and directed security agents to hunt down the perpetrators.

“This attack is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Alia said in a statement.

“I have directed security agents to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The attack is a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. The country is facing a number of security threats, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. The government has been struggling to contain these threats, and the latest attack is a setback in its efforts to do so.

The attack on Akpuuna village is also a reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities in Nigeria. These communities are often targeted by armed groups, and the government has been criticized for not doing enough to protect them.

The latest attack is a tragedy, and it is a reminder of the need for the current government to take action to address the security challenges facing the Middle Belt and the country at large.

Southern Kaduna People in Diaspora Condemn Zangon Kataf Killings, Accuses State Govt of Insensitivity

Southern Kaduna people living in diaspora under the auspices of Southern kaduna people in diaspora (SOKAPDA) Europe have condemned in strong terms the recent terrorists attacks on communities in southern Kaduna. The group said the attacks are unacceptable, saying that the Kaduna state government is insensitive to the plight of the victims.

The group in a statement signed by its President, Mr Casimir Biriyok states that attacks which took place in Ungwan Wakili and neighboring communities in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna state on Saturday night shows that the state and federal government have not done anything to forestall attacks in the area.

Recall that some communities in Ungwan Wakili and environs were attacked by terrorists suspected to be Fulani militias on Saturday March 11th, 2023 leaving no fewer than 17 people killed.

The statement reads in parts!

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Southern Kaduna people in diaspora (SOKAPDA) Europe, condemn the recent killings last Saturday, 11th March, 2023 that resulted in the loss of 17 lives and injuries to innocent citizens in Ungwan Wakili and other villages in Zangon Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State.
This is barely 3 months after the mass murder of 38 harmless villagers in Malagum, Kamuru–Ikulu and Abun (Broni Prono) in the same Southern Kaduna on or about 18th December, 2022.
SOKAPDA Europe, finds it difficult to comprehend how human lives seem to have little or no value in Nigeria in general, and Kaduna state in particular. We condemn this wanton killing in its entirety.
These attacks are happening in the middle of elections; given this scenario, one can only assume that this is calculated to destabilise Southern Kaduna during this election period.
There seems to be no empathy from the political leadership of the State, for we have not heard of any statement made by either the state or most of the political actors, by either visiting or indicating support through press releases or otherwise, the curfew notwithstanding.

A couple of days ago, in Lagos, a train accident killed 6 people and this attracted sympathy and the attention of the whole state. Flags were flown half mast and the governor was all over the place. However, 17 people were killed in Kaduna State and as at the time of writing, we have not heard from the state not to talk of a visit by the state leadership. Most of the political parties have shown little support to either the victims or issue a simple statement of condemnation of the killings.

It is essential to hold those who have sworn to protect us to do the needful for we in diaspora are frustrated that in the 21st century, technology like phone tracking, geo orbits satellite, drones and old-fashion spying, etc., have not been fully utilized.
We have been told time and time without number that the best is being done. Those at the receiving end seem not to see all these efforts, for the killings seem to be going on unabated for years.
It is also on record that nobody as far as we know, has taken any responsibility for possible negligence or dereliction of duty or responsibilities, and resigns to demonstrate they hold human lives sacred.
The peaceful Kaduna State that we once knew is no more and we sincerely hope that somewhere within the political class, someone will take security of lives seriously for it is absolutely too tragic that our state has become a killing field.

SOKAPDA will like to take this opportunity to express our sympathy to the families of the souls that were lost during the killings. May their souls rest in peace.

Our hearts remain with all the families that they left behind. It is the only Almighty God that can console them in these challenging periods. Similarly, we sympathise with every individual who has in one way or other been affected negatively by these random killings that seem to have no end in sight. We take exception to others who are keeping quiet in the middle of all these killings. One day some will be called to answer either here or beyond.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
-Edmund Burke.

6 LGAs in Benue Under Fulani Terrorists Siege — ALGON Chairman

The Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria in Benue State, Mike Uba on Thursday raised said that six local government areas of the state are under siege by Fulani herders.

Uba stated this during a press conference held in Makurdi and added that the attacks were being carried out simultaneously in the past two weeks.

According to Uba, the affected six local government areas include; Kwande, Agatu, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi and Logo.

The ALGON boss who is the chairman of Guma LGA said that the attacks started shortly after the presidential and national assembly election, adding that several communities have been deserted and occupied by herders.

He said, “This is the first time in the history of Fulani herders, terrorists attacks in the state that six local governments are under attacks simultaneously.

“These are Guma, Makurdi, Gwer-West, Kwande, Agatu and some forays in Logo. In the past, attacks would be in two or three; Guma, Gwer West and Agatu.

“The new dimension speaks volumes of Command Room Coordination and Strategy. This is a strategic attempt that is also politically timed to coincide with the electoral season,” he added.

Uba, however, appealed to  President Muhammad Buhari to protect the lives and property of the people of the state.

(Nigerian Tribune, header modified) 

Fulani Terrorists Resume Attacks, Kill Over 50 In Benue Communities As Nigerian Police Dispute Casualty Figures

Less than a week to the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, March 11, Fulani herdsmen have invaded six communities in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria and killed no less than 50 persons.
Although the police in Benue State said the casualty figure was not up to 50, it could not provide counter details.
The affected communities in the four-day attack are Adam, Iyarinwa, Abamde Ityuluv, Waya Boagundu, Agura Ayaga and Azege areas in Turan Council Ward, Kwande LGA.
The former chairman of the Council Tertsua Yarkbewan, who confirmed the casualty figures while addressing journalists, on Monday, said the death toll could be more.

Lamenting the constant invasion and killing of his people by herdsmen, Yarkbewan said, “My people are being massacred like goats. What we have been hearing is that there are Fulani attacks, especially in Turan in the Kwande axis. Even places where there were no attacks before are witnessing attacks.

“Now, every day you hear that five or four people were killed, you cannot have the exact number of those that have been killed because some corpses are still in the bush and yet to be recovered. But looking at the number of people being killed in the past few days, I think the casualty figures should be over 50.”

Reacting to the incident, the Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack but said the normalcy have returned to the affected communities.
Anene, however, insisted that casualty figure wasn’t correct.
“They have not given me the report but it is not up to 50; the initial report they gave me there was a change of leadership of the division. The new DPO just reported last Friday and when I asked him to give me a situation report he said the area is calm now,” she said.

Saharareporters

Bandits invade Benue Community again, kill eight villagers

Reports have it that on the 21st of January 2023, armed groups suspected to be bandits attacked the Abagana community opposite the internally displaced persons camp located along Makurdi/Lafia road in Benue State according to the Punch Newspaper . The attack happened on Thursday night came barely two years after the community was hit with attacks that left seven persons murdered. Sources in the community informed the Punch that a family of six and two others were beheaded with their heads carted away by the armed invaders.

It was gathered that the attack left many others injured as the bandts invaded the community around 9pm and shot sporadically which left many wounded and others dead.

Lt Col Paul Hemba, Security Adviser to the Governor of Benue State confirmed the attack and said that the attack, unprovoked happened as the villagers were preparing to go to bed. Hemba gave the names of the deceased as Gbashaor Acho, Gbashaor Joseph, Anshe Dekera, Ancho Kpor, Eunice Gbashaor, Sewuese Gbashaor, Terlumun Ajoh, Emberga Gbashaor and Donald Gbashaor and confirmed that the death toll could still rise due to injuries sustained by the attacks.

He also stated that the bandits stole two motorcycles belonging to the villagers.

Terrorists Chanting “Allahu Akbar” Slaughter 30 in Southern Kaduna

Terrorists suspected to be Fulani Islamists on Sunday night launched daring attacks on two Southern Kaduna communities, killing no fewer than 30 villagers in the process.

The attacks which took place in Malagum and Sokong communities all in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state threw the communities into deep state of mourning after dozens were hacked to death by the terrorists.

A youth leader from one of the affected communities who spoke to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said the attackers came into their community chanting “Allahu Akbar” meaning Allah is the greatest, as they shoot sporadically at the helpless villagers.

“They came in heavily armed, chanting Allahu Akbar as they shoot at the people, some of our people made attempts to run but couldn’t run faster than the bullets of the herdsmen who went on butchering those fell by their bullets.

“As am speaking to you right now the communities are in a severe mourning state, it is few days to Christmas but I can assure you that we cannot celebrate anything here after this attack.” He said.

Sunday’s attack came barely one week after terrorists in similar fashion killed 8 people in Malagum and Kamuru-Ikullu communities all in Southern Kaduna. The villagers blamed the attacks on Fulani herdsmen who have been largely blamed for many attacks in different parts of Nigeria.

Images obtained by this newspaper showed that some of the victims of yesterday’s attacks were burnt to death by the terrorists while some were hacked using machetes after sustaining gunshot injuries.

In recent times, Southern Kaduna had witnessed attacks during Christmas and New year festivities. An occurrence many believed to have some religious undertones as the victims are majorly Christian indigenous people in the area.

SSS Presented 44 Reports To Buhari Before Kuje Prison Attack: Idris Wase

The State Security Service (SSS) had forwarded 44 security reports to the Muhammadu Buhari regime before the July 5 attack on Kuje prison.

Deputy House Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase’s revelation lends credence to claims that the president is nonchalant and unstrategic in the fight against insecurity.

“You can imagine what is happening today in Abuja. I will be frank with you. I went through DSS reports. 44 reports were given before the attack of Kuje.

“I want to say so, I want to confirm to you, 44. I went through all the reports. And it all has to do with this,” said the lawmaker at the plenary session on Tuesday.

Mr Wase was discussing a motion presented by Abubakar Makki Yelleman (APC Jigawa) to stop the proposed ban on motorcycles across the nation.

He said security agencies have always received intelligence regarding any attack, including the Kuje jailbreak where SSS operatives presented 44 reports to warn the government.

“There is no community that one attack or the other will happen and we will not have an intel, and this is part of the intel that they have given as what is going to happen, what is happening and what is not going to happen,” the Deputy Speaker stated.

He stressed that government needed support to enforce the ban in communities susceptible to banditry and terrorists’ activities.

The failure of the regime to foil the jailbreak after receiving credible intelligence from the secret police has again put the leadership credentials of Mr Buhari to test.

Over 600 hardened criminals, including 64 terrorists, were freed during the jailbreak.

Gazette

Terrorist attack: Resign now or be impeached, HURIWA tells Buhari 

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Wednesday, asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to resign or be impeached over his perennial failure to take decisive action on terrorists.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, also said the Buhari regime and the military are cool with the spate of terrorist attacks in the country as they have failed to deploy the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets against terrorists turning the country into another Afghanistan.

Recall that terrorists on Tuesday attacked the advanced security convoy of Buhari near Dutsinma, Katsina State, killing two policemen (allegedly)  in the process. The officials were travelling to Daura ahead of the trip of the President to his hometown for Sallah.

Terrorists also attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, allegedly freeing inmates and killing security agents.

Recently, a community leader in the Birnin Gwari Emirate of Kaduna State Zubairu Abdulra’uf revealed that farmers in the area paid about N400 million to bandits in order to be allowed to carry on with their farming activities.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “These major incidents are too heavy to be ignored. Terrorists are becoming daring because the government is in bed with armed Fulani terrorists. These bandits were designated as terrorists by a Federal High Court in November 2021 but eight months after, the government has not taken any definitive military actions to stamp them out.

“In fact, the 12 Super Tucano fighter jets bought from the United States have not been deployed against the terrorists in the North-West despite that the court judgement ordered the government to do so.

“The failure and inaction of the government have buoyed the heinous and condemnable crimes of the terrorists who now make a fortune from the odious venture of kidnapping Nigerians and have gone as far as collecting taxes like in Kaduna where farmers have so far paid N400 million in protection tax to Fulani terrorists.

“Similarly, attacks on prisons have grown so much under Buhari. There have been about 15 jailbreaks in the last five years under Buhari and over 3,400 inmates have fled.

“Buhari has failed Nigerians and himself. This is the time for either Buhari to resign or he be impeached if the National Assembly members can grow ball. They must do it or else Nigeria is doomed and over 200 million refugees will flow out of Nigeria.” Why is the minister of interior still on seat? 

July 6, 2022

Emmanuel Onwubiko

National Coordinator – HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA).

HURIWA BACKS PASTOR ADEBOYE, ZAMFARA GOVERNOR ON SELF DEFENCE

…Says Right to life is irretrievable if violated:

Prominent Civil rights advocacy group- HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has thrown her weight behind the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who spoke against the high rate of insecurity in the country and told the members of his Church to defend themselves against attackers.

HURIWA recalled that the respected Cleric Pastor Adeboye stressed that there is nowhere in the Bible that God said His children should not defend themselves.This is coming as the Chairman of the Katsina State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, has raised the alarm over what he described as the multifaceted worsening security challenges facing the residents of the state.

The Rights group recalled that speaking during the church’s July 2022 Holy Ghost Service in a viral video, Adeboye said enough is enough, adding that henceforth, “it’s fire for fire. “I don’t want to say much because I know whatever I say, some people may want to twist it. I have searched the Bible from cover to cover and there is nowhere where God said a child of God cannot defend himself. If you find the place, let me know. He said that if they slap you on the right cheek turn left; He said that one. If they now slap the left what did he say? When God is silent, do you know the meaning of that, it simply means over to you.“I am only talking to my children. Only my children come to the Holy Ghost Service. There are certain things television cannot transmit. Not at all. Glory be to God for television that can transmit across the world. Glory be to God. But when the Almighty God knows that it is out of laziness that you sat back at home, you will be hearing the testimonies of those who were present. There’s something called corporate anointing. The Bible says fire begets fire. There are certain things you get because you are there… Oh! Some jokers said churches should not open for three months. Who is your commander? God of Boko Haram? Let the devil try any nonsense, from now on, it is going to be fire for fire.”

Against the backdrop of the admonition by Pastor Enoch Adeboye on the necessity of embracing self defence to save their lives from being wasted by armed terrorists, the Rights grpup said that just like the the Zamfara State’s governor authorised his citizens to bear arms, the Reverend gentleman was right to mobilise his members to do all they can to remain alive because as it were only the living can worship God. 

HURIWA spoke further on THE implications of embracing self defence which it says are multifaceted and affirmed that It shows the collapse of the centralised system of government due to the incompetence of the head of state and head of government to safeguard the lives of the citizens and the safety of their legitimately obtained assets/property.  Another implication is that it has open the floodgates for other states to take similar lawful steps to protect their citizens for the time being until such a time that Nigeria has an effective and functional President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  If the people don’t protect themselves because government at the centre can’t protect them because of criminal dereliction of duty on the part of President Muhammadu Buhari and the collusion and compromises of the National Assembly that failed to provide oversight responsibility to demand action from the President to stop the killings of Nigerians. The National Assembly has the power of impeachment of a failed President which President Muhammadu Buhari is but Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila are ‘ERRAND BOYS’ OF THE FAILED PRESIDENT SO AS HIS PUPILS  THEY CAN’T MOVE AGAINST THEIR PRINCIPAL BECAUSE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S INDEPENDENCE HAS BEEN MORTGAGED SINCE 2019. The last implication is for the national Assembly to impeach the President so we don’t have arms proliferation in Nigeria.  

The decision by the Zamfara State governor to ask citizens to pick up arms for the purposes of self defence is constitutionally permitted under Section 33(2) (a) which states and I quote “a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section if he dies as a result of the use to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary- (a) FOR THE SELF DEFENCE OF ANY PERSON FROM UNLAWFUL VIOLENCE OR FOR THE DEFENCE OF PROPERTY. “

Fundamentally, the primary purpose of government as clearly spelt out under section 14(2) (b) is “THE SECURITY AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE SHALL BE THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT.” So the Zamfara State government’s innovative way of safeguarding the lives of the citizens of that state is necessitated by the overwhelming failures of the President,  Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to dispense and discharge his constitutionally mandated primary obligations as President who has the command and control of the Armed Forces as stipulated in Sections 218, 217, 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. And because the RIGHT TO LIFE WHICH IS SACROSANCT AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 33(1) MUST BE SAFEGUARDED BY ALL MEANS FROM EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTION,  IT IS PERMISSIBLE FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO OPT FOR INDIVIDUAL SELF DEFENCE SINCE THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT HEADED BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI HAS FAILED IN THIS VERY CRITICAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE LAW DEMANDED OF HIS OFFICE as contained in the following provisions: 

“section 215 of the 1999 constitution There shall be –

(a) an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2) of this Constitution shall be appointed by the

President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Nigeria Police Force;

(b) a Commissioner of Police for each state of the Federation who shall be appointed by the Police Service Commission.

(2) The Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of Police and contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a state shall, subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, be under the command of the Commissioner of Police of that state.

(3) The President or such other Minister of the Government of the Federation as he may authorise in that behalf may give to the Inspector-General of Police such lawful directions with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary, and the Inspector-General of Police shall comply with those direction or cause them to be compiled with.

(4) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Governor of a state or such Commissioner of the Government state as he may authorise in that behalf, may give to the Commissioner of Police of that state such lawful directions with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order within the state as he may consider necessary, and the Commissioner of Police shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with:

Provided that before carrying out any such directions under the foregoing provisions of this subsection the Commissioner of Police may request that the matter be referred to the President or such minister of the Government of the Federation as may be authorised in that behalf by the President for his directions.

(5) The question whether any, and if so what, directions have been given under this section shall not be inquired into in any court.

Section 217 of the 1999 constitution 

 (1) There shall be an armed forces for the Federation which shall consist of an army, a navy, an Air Force and such other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.

(2) The Federation shall, subject to an Act of the National Assembly made in that behalf, equip and maintain the armed forces as may be considered adequate and effective for the purpose of –

(a) defending Nigeria from external aggression;

(b) maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air;

(c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly; and

(d) performance such other functions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

(3) The composition of the officer corps an other ranks of the armed forces of the Federation shall reflect the federal

character of Nigeria.

section 218 of the 1999 constitution

 (1) The powers of the President as the Commissioner-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall include power to determine the operational use of the armed forces of the Federation.

(2) The powers conferred on the President by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.

(3) The President may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he think fit, delegate to any member of the armed forces of the Federation his powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

(4) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the regulation of –

(a) the powers exercisable by the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation; and (b) the appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of members of the armed forces of the Federation.

(3) Lastly, on my take, I will say  that we are passing through the worst phase in our national life because of the abysmal failures of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to do just the basic constitutionally obliged duties such as protecting Nigerians from MASS KILLERS WHO ARE ALLOWED TO ROAM ABOUT FREELY AND KILLING NIGERIANS. Zamfara State has provided the most practicable solution that is constitutionally permitted.I will ask all state governors to take same steps to defend their people. 

*Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko is Executive Director of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA). 

Killing Of Catholic Priests In Nigeria– Enough Is Enough: Catholic Bishops To Change Strategy

By 
Emmanul Gandu

EXCERPTS

[ It takes a minimum of ten (10) years and millions of #aira to train a priest in the Major Seminary up to ordination. Therefore, to allow this human capital investment be cheaply exposed to the bullets of some unmerited dregs of the society smacks of negligence.
The Catholic Church could not have ordained their priests to be used as sacrificial lambs at some terrorists alter of martyrdom hence it behoves on the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to as usual live up to its calling by calling off the lamentation and change strategy ]

INTRODUCTION
Nigeria’s Catholic Priests are running for their lives in fear of the rampaging terrorists, kidnappers, and gunmen who hunt for them like wild life for the game.
This is reminiscent of the ‘head hunters’ years of the primitive society, except that what obtains today is that the head of a Catholic priest is more of gold mine in $dollars value rather than the mere prestige of a warrior’s total number of collection of human heads as sign of bravery and.

Hardly any day passes by without reports of missing, kidnapped, or killed Catholic priest (s). Sadly, our churches have become more of places of requiem, funerals, Lamentations, burial sing songs and homilies for slayned priests instead of other forms of worship. Regrettably too, the cemeteries are fast becoming larger in acreage than available farmlands for agricultural purposes, while coffin construction is now such a lucrative business for survival in this period of Buharianomics, making carpenters keep smiling to the bank.

As a consequence of this alarming rate of killing of Catholic Priests across Nigeria, thousands of Catholic faithful, the Pope, Bishops, priests, religious, and concerned citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction with the federal government over its inability to protect lives and property of the citizens – Catholic Priests inclusive.

This discourse is an attempt to highlight and contribute in the on – going efforts to further encourage the Catholic Bishops on to a higher notch of responsibility and action in order to curb the rising spate in violence especially to our humble, esteemed and honoured Catholic priesthood.
Permit me at this juncture to plead for penitential amnesty for any sins I may commit in the course of this presentation, and if committed, may it be considered as a ‘holy sin.’

THE SITUATION ROOM
It takes a minimum of ten (10) years and millions of #aira to train a priest in the Major Seminary up to ordination. Therefore, to allow this human capital investment be cheaply exposed to the bullets of unmerited dregs of the society smacks of negligence.
Invariably, the Catholic Church could not have ordained their priests to be used as sacrificial lambs on a terrorists alter of martyrdom, hence it behoves on the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to as usual live up to its calling.

According to a report from findings by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law sent to the Agenzia Fides’ agency, at least 70 priests and religious were kidnapped, or killed from June 2015 – March 2020. These casualty figures had since risen higher and higher from March 2020 – June 2022.

As a result of these rising cases of killings, kidnapping, and attacks, thousands of Catholic faithful and concerned citizens have always flooded Nigeria’s streets in protests against the pogrom.
One of such protest rallies was led by all black attired Cardinals and Archbishops, followed by priests, religious, lay faithful, and the general public in Abuja on March 1st. 2020.

You would also recall that the fiery Sokoto Diocese Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, and other Bishops have been unrelenting on this matter.
While delivering an anniversary lecture at the flag off ceremony of 70th anniversary Logo and Mascot launch of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria in early June, 2022, Bishop Kukah said that Nigeria now ranked as the 9th worst country for Christians to live in the world. Iran occupies the no. 8th position.

WHAT NEXT ?
(1) Enough of public demonstrations and rallies because nothing seems to be achieved from that so far.
(2) Enough of this ‘call to glory’ advertorials for our killed clergy because that is the indication for the enemy perpetrators success.
( 3) Enough of the elaborate Lamentations during requiem, funerals and burials of our killed clergy. I desire more of strategic planning.
(4) I want to see workable, pragmatic steps from the Bishops on ways to secure our clergy.
It is understandable if they are killed or kidnapped during Mass, but even at that something more concrete can still be done.
Enough is enough.

WHY ARE CATHOLIC PRIESTS A TARGET ?
The killing and kidnapping of Catholic Priests may be attributed but not limited to the following :
(1) The Nigerian government has been unable to provide adequate security for the citizens and as a result there is growing insecurity in the land. Since the terrorists are aware of the weaknesses of the Nigerian state, they attack at will realising that there isn’t really restraining force.
The Nigerian military has been so much compromised that they have become ‘a toothless bull dog’.
Little a whole lot of people including the Catholic Priests are left vulnerable to whims and caprises of the terrorists.
(2) Regrettably, apprehended or the so called repentant terrorists in Nigeria get pardoned and re integrated into the society with due diligence of checks. These repentant terrorists later transform back to unrepentant terrorists to continue to wreck havoc in the society.
Likewise, kidnappers get bread thrown at them instead of bullets fired at them. They in turn use the ransom proceeds to purchase more weapons for more daring expeditious kidnappings and killings – and the vicious cycle continuos.
(3) Terrorist’s religious fanaticism and ideological considerations arising from a flawed teachings, doctrines, orientation, and sometimes indoctrination for hate of any other faith other than theirs on the face of the earth.
(4) The ostentatious lifestyle flownted by (some) Catholic priests may be a source of attraction to kidnappers who end up killing the victim priests even after collecting the ransom.
(5) The religious war of rivalry for supremacy between Nigeria’s two major religions make the Catholic priest vulnerably prone to attacks even to the point of total annihilation.
(6) This may be a manifestation of growing criminality in a Nigeria that lacks a deliberate, workable, effective jurisprundence, and a sustained regime for crime punishment.
(7) Catholic priests are seen as part of a privileged group, and as such, attacks may come as an expression of, or a form of anti – clericalism that is based and fueled on vendetta, or the loss of the sacredness and sanctity of the priesthood as symbolised by the Catholic priest.
(8) Catholic priests (some) drive fine cars, are known to have posh homes elsewhere, and appear to be quite comfortable, and contented.
The kidnappers who are spurred on by the get – rich – quick syndrome and mindset see these priests as ready prey to be pounced upon.
(9) Catholic churches anywhere in Nigeria are among the largest and well built.
This really attaches not only a lot richness of wealth status on their priests, but also attracts some notoriety for flounting that wealth.
And therefore, the kidnappers also want a bit of the action, and a bite of that wealth.
(10) According to Pew Research, the world total population is 7.5 billion.
With a total of global Catholic population of 1.36 billion (baptized only), the Catholic Church no doubt is the largest single Christian denomination, as she makes up to 18% of the total world population.
It is therefore a pride of no mean achievement for any enemy of Christianity to hurt the Christians by getting at the Catholic Church through her priests.

SUGGESTIONS TO THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA
Since the Nigerian government is not doing enough to protect her citizens, the citizens on their part must seek alternative means in order to stay alive. The resentment and awareness must have to build up, and the CBCN is better placed to lead this vanguard.
To halt this endless bloodletting of our Catholic priests is a task that must be accomplished.
(2) All Catholic priests to posses guns for self defense.
(3) All priests to be at Mass with their guns. The CBCN should borrow a leaf from some aspects of the ‘Liberation Theology’ of Latin America of the 60’s and 70’s.
(4) Travel restrictions be placed on priests in and out of their domains ( parishes, dioceses) until some level of sanity is attained.
(5) All parishes, churches, priests homes be guarded by armed men especially on vulnerable days.
(6) Parishioners who qualify to posses guns/firearms be allowed to come to church with such.
(7) Catholic priests to cultivate modest lifestyles and cut down public display of affluence.
(8) Federal government is to put in place workable, tested, legal, and verifiable measures to ensure the security of life and property.
(9) Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah’s suggestion towards tackling this menace suffices : “…… When a dog is backing at you, walk towards it because if you turn back it would attack.” “…….We Christians must walk towards the barking dog.”
(10) Extraordinary times demand extraordinary response.
Enough is Enough.

Peace ? and Obi-dient
2/7/2022