Insecurity: Catholics protest killings of two priests, 17 parishioners


Member of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta on joined their counterparts across the country to protest the killings of two priests and 17 p[sup][/sup]arishioners by suspected herdsmen in Benue state.


The protesters converged on St. Anne Catholic Church in Ibara, Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, to observe a mass rally after which they peacefully marched around Abeokuta metropolis.


The placards had inscriptions such as: “President Buhari stop this killings or resign, “Human live is Sacred, “Killing is a sin, “Have we lost our human value, “We want Peace in Nigeria ” among others.


Speaking with Journalists shortly after the protest, the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, called on the Federal Government to urgently end series of incessant killings in the country.

The Bishop also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.


According to him, “the president should stop the killings of Nigerians by the herdsmen as the father of the nation.


"If the father of the house cannot protect his children, he should leave the house.”

The Cleric explained that ”we are here to protest the killings and insecurity in the country; more importantly to mourn the killing of two of our priests and 15 parishioners in Makurdi Diocese of Benue State as they are being buried today in solidarity with Catholic faithfuls all over Nigeria.


“All we are saying with this protest is that the federal government should save us and stop this killings.

"Human lives is very sacred whether you are a Muslim or Christians, it doesn’t really matter.


“We need peace in the country, The President is our father and the head of the house and should therefore live up to the expectations of ensuring that everybody is safe in the country, this is our message with this peaceful protest”.