The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, The Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, on Wednesday, called on the international community to intervene in the killings in Nigeria.
Hammawa made the call in a homily to mark the 2020 ‘Ash Wednesday’ which officially commenced the lenten season of fasting and prayers for Christians.
The Bishop who read the message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) decried the level of insecurity in the country, especially the targeted and barbaric executions of Christians by the Boko Haram insurgents and the incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom which have traumatised many citizens.
“It is unfortunate that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes make public shows of them on social media and Nigerians, do not hear of any arrests or prosecution of the criminals and this raises grave questions about the ability and willingness of the government to protect the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.
“Many communities are constantly threatened, harassed and sometimes even sacked by herdsmen, as they seek to take over more territories to graze their cattle forcefully.
“We are sad. We are in sorrow and grief. But we are confident that the light of Christ, which shines in our hearts, will brighten the dark corners of our Nigerian society.
“I want to personally appeal to the international community to come to the aide of Nigeria, especially poor and helpless Nigerians who no longer feel safe anywhere in the country,” he appealed.
DAILY POST reports that Catholics in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, wore black attire as a sign of mourning in compliance to the directive by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.
