• Tell terrorists: You can’t build future on tears of innocent people
In a rare display of interfaith solidarity, Nigeria’s Catholic bishops and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have jointly condemned the recent wave of killings and abductions that has shaken the nation. The leaders, speaking in separate statements, described the attacks on worshippers and rural communities as an intolerable assault on humanity, and they are urging the government to take decisive action.
A Common Voice Against Bloodshed
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the PFN have both raised alarms over the escalating violence, which has seen worshippers abducted from mosques and dozens killed in separate attacks. The Christian leaders have expressed particular outrage over the abduction of more than 60 Muslim worshippers in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, as well as the killing of 47 people in Ukum, Benue State, where another 17 were reportedly critically wounded.
According to a report by The Nation, the bishops, in a statement signed by CBCN President and Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso, lamented what they called an “unabated trail of blood and terror” across the country. They noted that Nigerians are being “slaughtered, traumatised and displaced with impunity” in mosques, churches, marketplaces, and even their own homes.
Interfaith Solidarity in Niger State
The PFN, particularly its Niger State chapter, has been vocal in its support for the Muslim community affected by the Borgu attack. Pastor PeteRock Sadiq, the Niger State PFN Chairman and Set Man of House on the Rock in Minna, said the Christian community could not remain indifferent simply because the victims were Muslims.
“Whether it is a mosque or a church, an attack on a place of worship is an attack on all of us, and we condemn it in strong terms,” Sadiq said. He added that a house of worship is sacred ground, and to storm it while people are on their knees is an assault on the entire community.
Sadiq also rejected any justification for the violence, stating, “There is no political, ethnic or religious reading of this that makes it anything other than evil.” He called on the Federal and State Governments to ensure the safe return of every abducted person and directed churches across Niger State to pray for the victims.
The Borgu Attack and Rescue Efforts
The attack on the communities of Dekara, Kpenya, Sabon-Gida, and Gidan-Zana in Borgu occurred on August 21, during Jumu’at prayers. Accounts from the communities indicate that gunmen surrounded worshippers and marched several of them into the forest after prayers, including men, women, and a village head. About 20 people who reportedly attempted to escape were shot dead, while others were abducted.
In response, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has deployed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, to coordinate a rescue operation. The operation involves tactical teams, counter-terrorism units, the police air wing, and other security agencies. Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, confirmed that a full-scale rescue operation had commenced, though the exact number of abductees has yet to be established.
Bishops Call for Proactive Security Measures
The Catholic bishops have challenged the Federal and state governments, security chiefs, and political leaders to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians. They insisted that their responsibility would remain unfulfilled until the security and welfare of citizens are guaranteed. The bishops demanded proactive, intelligence-led operations capable of identifying and neutralising criminal elements before they strike.
They also called for the swift prosecution of perpetrators and their sponsors, irrespective of status or affiliation, warning that impunity would only embolden criminals and encourage further bloodshed. Turning directly to bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and their sponsors, the bishops declared that no grievance or cause could justify the slaughter of innocent Nigerians.
“Human life belongs to God alone, and no cause justifies this cruelty. You cannot build a future on the tears of innocent persons,” they said. Quoting Galatians 6:7, they warned: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
A Call for Prayer and Resilience
Despite the deteriorating security situation, the bishops urged Nigerians not to surrender to despair but to remain steadfast in prayer for peace. “May the God of peace restore order to our nation, comfort those who mourn, and touch the hearts of those who inflict pain,” the CBCN prayed.
The united stance of Nigeria’s religious leaders underscores the severity of the security crisis and the urgent need for a coordinated national response. As the rescue operation in Borgu continues, the nation watches and hopes for the safe return of the abducted and an end to the cycle of violence.