₦airaland Forum

Catholic Church Members In Benue Hold Prayer Walk For Victims Of Gunmen Attacks, Call For Peace

The members of the Catholic Church in Benue State, on Thursday morning, staged a solemn prayer walk in Gboko, calling for the restoration of peace and justice in the state amid ongoing violent attacks by suspected herdsmen.

The peaceful procession, led by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, drew dozens of church members, priests, and residents.

The participants carried banners and placards with messages like: “Pray for victims of herdsmen attack and for restoration of peace.”

The symbolic march came a day after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state, which saw heavy mobilisation and a public holiday declared by the State Government.

Tinubu arrived at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi around 12:58 pm on Wednesday, where he was received with fanfare.

The State Government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, ordered massive mobilisation of support groups to line up the roads and march with the President from the airport through Wurukum Roundabout to the Government House.

In a memo dated June 17, 2025, and signed by Hon. Francis U. Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Groups Mobilisation, the Governor directed that a “colourful shoulder-to-shoulder spread/procession” be staged in honour of Tinubu.

The letter also outlined strict accreditation protocols tied to “numbers and colours,” urging group leaders to coordinate logistics with the Governor’s Office.

However, the Catholic Church’s action appears to contrast with the government's political display, with a more grounded expression of the people’s pain.

During his visit, President Tinubu held meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth representatives and other stakeholders.

He acknowledged the urgency of the crisis, stating: “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. And it is only when you open the door for conflict that political enemies will come in. Political enemies, they don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”

He also pointedly asked why no arrests had been made, directing his concern at the heads of the country’s top security and intelligence agencies.

Present at the meeting were the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, among others.

Tinubu urged the security chiefs to urgently identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for the violence, which has led to the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of thousands in the State.

"How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be arrests of those criminals,” the President said.

"Let's get those criminals. Let's get them out. So DG NIA and DG SSS (State Security Service), retreat your information channels, and let's have tangible intelligence that this will not occur again," he said.

[color=orange]SaharaReporters[/color]

The symbolic march came a day after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the State, which saw heavy mobilisation and a public holiday declared by the State Government.

I haven't seen Northern governors coming to Benue State to appeal to Benue people to calm down. I haven't seen Sultan of Sokoto issuing statements to console Benue people. But when "11 hunters" were killed in Edo State, Edo State governor had to travel to Kano to beg the people. Meanwhile, the Northerners were busy threatening everyone.

Protect yourself and leave religion story aside.

Na madness you can take to cure craziness

Townhall…

Townhall vs Oil Magnet

JournalNg

Who are you protesting against exactly? Your own priest?

danvon:
Thank God the governor is a Christian and a Reverend for that matter, so no one can say its religious crisis.

These ones are only protesting because their Commander in Chief (Pope Don Corleone) condemned it, but violence in Benue has been going on for years so why didnt they protest then.

We all know it is the handiworks of Islam, let us not deceieve ourselves, you self know.

SmartPolician:
I haven't seen Northern governors coming to Benue State to appeal to Benue people to calm down. I haven't seen Sultan of Sokoto issuing states to condole Benue people. But when "11 hunters" were killed in Edo State, Edo State governor had to travel to Kano to beg the people. Meanwhile, the Northerners were busy threatening everyone.

they talk say we still dey practice one Nigeria 🤣

Na wah o................................

danvon:
Thank God the governor is a Christian and a Reverend for that matter, so no one can say its religious crisis.

These ones are only protesting because their Commander in Chief (Pope Don Corleone) condemned it, but violence in Benue has been going on for years so why didnt they protest then.

When your shadow or conscience keeps pricking you...

You already know the religion of those criminals...and the governor being a Christian adds nothing to your myopic prejudiced post here...

Prayer walk or recitations?

May God Almighty heal our land. 🙏🤲

Biafrannuke:
Who are you protesting against exactly? Your own priest?

Prayer walk is different from protest…

helinues:
Protect yourself and leave religion story aside.

Na madness you can take to cure craziness

Is self defense constitutional? What's Tinubu's duty as a president?


What's his stand on security pre-his presidency? How most of you conveniently shift the goal post and celebrate hypocrisy shows Nigeria is far from redemption

Whynotthetruth:
Is self defense constitutional? What's Tinubu's duty as a president?


What's his stand on security pre-his presidency? How most of you conveniently shift the goal post and celebrate hypocrisy shows Nigeria is far from redemption

Dont ask me unnecessary questions. I have expressed myself. Express yourself and waka

Even the Isreal wey una dey follow their footsteps dey carry weapon una dey fall my hand

Tinubu says you guys should go and make peace with the terrorist herders; give them your lands if you want to live

Omoawoke:
I just imagine this happening in American cities

Them no born any morafaka well or group of morakakas foooooolani bassssstddds to enter street and start shooting people anyhow

You go see one 15 years old girl whey go comot better weapon whey our DSS no even get… them no go run, you must collect

Give these people’s guns to defend themselves and stop praying to god of Israel.. the Israelites have iron dome and ballistic missles and mossop

15 years is even too old. I read in the news of one 8 or 10 year old, the police was holding her mother down like George floyd, the girl shouted leave my mother alone, the police didn't answer her, this girl brought out her mother's gun from the car and blasted the police woman's brains off. The court said she's a minor so cannot be charged for murder.

This is where Christians have a problem. Especially the Christianity from the west to Africa.
The one from Israel where Christ walked they do eye for and eye to achieve lasting peace.

Peter cut of the guards ear because he was aiming for the knock but the guard shifted an his ear was cut right infront of Jesus Christ.

How do people live with the guilt of killing their fellow humans

💯. The president wouldn't even have issued any statements or visit if the Pope didn't say something. A country of Bigots. SMH!

SmartPolician:
I haven't seen Northern governors coming to Benue State to appeal to Benue people to calm down. I haven't seen Sultan of Sokoto issuing statements to console Benue people. But when "11 hunters" were killed in Edo State, Edo State governor had to travel to Kano to beg the people. Meanwhile, the Northerners were busy threatening everyone.

I commend them highly for this. There's nothing prayers cannot do. God answers prayers. I have tested it and i know he does.

May the Lord console all the families that Los their loved ones in this unfortunate masacare in Jesus mighty name.

Hahahahahahahaha who do una like this? This is an act of cowardice

SmartPolician:
I haven't seen Northern governors coming to Benue State to appeal to Benue people to calm down. I haven't seen Sultan of Sokoto issuing statements to console Benue people. But when "11 hunters" were killed in Edo State, Edo State governor had to travel to Kano to beg the people. Meanwhile, the Northerners were busy threatening everyone.

They victims were Christians ✝️ while the Killers are Muslims ☪️. Sultan can't cough because his very throne was gotten through same method by his grandfathers. They aren't Northern enough.
Islam doesn't sanction Murdering Christians

SmartPolician:
I haven't seen Northern governors coming to Benue State to appeal to Benue people to calm down. I haven't seen Sultan of Sokoto issuing statements to console Benue people. But when "11 hunters" were killed in Edo State, Edo State governor had to travel to Kano to beg the people. Meanwhile, the Northerners were busy threatening everyone.

Because is not a place to share free money or Sarah as yoruba say it

helinues:
Dont ask me unnecessary questions. I have expressed myself. Express yourself and waka

....Helinus don tyre for Oga Tii Tii Government 😂😂😂😂😂

Very funny reply....make e express himself waka....hahhahahhahahhahaha

helinues:
Dont ask me unnecessary questions. I have expressed myself. Express yourself and waka

O yeah...the questions will be unnecessary because it's religion and tribe is all that matters to men like you...

Look truth in the eyes....your conscience will always be an open wound...pen killers everywhere

Here comes the church to put people to sleep!