- A reverend father has lamented the deaths of priests and worshippers in Benue state
- He called on the federal government to do all things necessary to put an end to the killings
Jude Ortese, a reverend father and chancellor of the Catholic diocese of Makurdi, Benue state, said the two priests and 17 worshippers recently killed by suspected herdsmen were murdered while praying for peace in the state.
Recall that NAIJ.com earlier reported that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen stormed St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church, Ayar, Benue on Tuesday, April 24, and killed 19 people.
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Ortese said the victims will be buried at Susugh Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Ayati, Ikpayongo, Gwer east local government area of the state on May 22, The Cable reports.
He said: “The two priests will be buried with their worshippers and this is significant because they were praying together and seeking lasting solution to the unending killings, which had become a recurring decimal."
Ortese called on the federal government to do whatever it takes to put an end to the killings in Benue.
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He said: “We cannot go back to the primitive way of buying weapon to defend ourselves because out of million of Nigerians one person is elected to protect us and the person should perform his constitutional duty.
“Nigerians are paying taxes to be protected, so the federal government must protect our lives and properties."
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has sent a message to President Muhammadu Buhari, condemning the attack in Benue state by Fulani herdsmen.
The religious body charged the president and security chiefs to look into the issue and stop paying lip service.
Victims of Herdsmen killing buried in Benue state - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng