Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen
have killed two priests at St. Ignatius’ Catholic Church, Ayar, Gwer east local
government area of Benue state.
Moses Iorapuu, director of the
Catholic archdiocese of Makurdi, confirmed the attack, blaming it on
“Jihadists”.
The gunmen were said to have
opened fire on the worshipers after invading the church around 5am on Tuesday.
Some worshipers were also killed
in the attack while many sustained injuries.
The deceased priests were
identified as Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha.
A witness told revealed that a
mammoth crowd thronged the Bishop Murray Medical Centre, Makurdi, to witness
the depositing of the remains of those killed.
He added that many houses were
burnt by the attackers.
“They (those killed) were brought
in amid much wailing and sorrow from the crowd of mourners,” he said.
“The remains of the slain priests
were an ugly sight to behold. Their killers butchered and mutilated their
bodies hideously.
“Some of the locals who escaped
the attack and fled to Makurdi were among the crowd at the hospital. There is
war right here in Benue.”
Confirming the incident, Moses
Iorapuu, Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in a statement,
called on the federal government to end the senseless killings in the state and
the country at large.
He said the deceased were until
their demise, serving at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ukpor-Mbalom.
“In their classic style, they
burntdown homes, destroy food items and kill. The police seem to know nothing
of the attacks which have been going on in other villages within Benue State
since the Anti-Open Grazing Law came into effect last year,” Iorapuu said.
Moses Yamu, spokesman of Benue
police command, could not be reached as of the time this report was filed as he
neither responded to calls or text message.
The high rate of insecurity in
Benue has been a source of concern to residents and the government.
All efforts to bring attacks
under control have not yielded the desired result as there is hardly any week
that killings are not recorded across the state.
Story! story!! storiiiii, continue shouting ok, instead to declare war against these people, christians where are we? some people so called Pastors and prophets are busy enriching themselves in an area where there is peace in South East instaed of coming together and fight this issue. mtchew! I regret to be a Nigerian
ReplyDeleteBut how can herdsmen be powerful more than police,army and other security agencies in this country?? Insecurity all over the land yet leaders, rulers and politicians are talking about 2019 general election. The killers, what benefits are they getting by shedding the blood of poor, common and innocent people? The pastors, bishops and clergys that clams to be hearing and seeing god or gods, what are you doing about this dirty deal in the land?
ReplyDeleteI think we are witnessing the existence of the most useless and incompetent government ever in the history of a nation! Buhari and his so called government...such a disgrace to Nigeria as a nation. How long should it take for a government to protect the lives of its citizens??? How long should it take for a government to enforce justice??? How can the government allow killing to become so casual to the point that everyone seems complacent as lives are being lost and it all seems as "normal"?? I pray that all these lives lost not be a waste...such a pity bt may it be a soulish rally and cause a painful awakening! May the youths arise instead of focusing our time on bbnaija and the fictitious understanding these shows bring may there be a solidarity for the sacred nature of he soul and the nation Nigeria! Nigeria wastes as the youth sleep
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