Insecurity: Churches, Priests Now The Major Target- Catholic Group Cries Out

By Daniel Agada, Jos

The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN), have decried a deteriorating security architecture of the nation saying, Churches and Priests are now soft target for those dare devils.

CLCN raised alarm following the continuous unprovoked attacks, kidnapping and killings of innocent Nigerians, most especially the Churches and it’s leadership.

The National President, Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Sir Henry Yunkwap said in a statement issued on Thursday in Jos that less than one month ago issued a statement over the Sunday June 5th, 2022 brutal attack and massacre of Catholic worshippers on Pentecost Sunday, right inside Church in Owo, Ondo State during which over 40 unarmed Nigerians including women and children lost their lives as many more were badly wounded.

“We condemned the barbaric act and called on the government to as a matter of urgency arrest the perpetrators and address the issue of insecurity in the nation.

“While waiting for the government response, the situation keeps deteriorating as our Church and
Priests are now the soft target of these dare devils”, Yunkwap revealed.

He said any government that cannot provide security for her people, indirectly tells them to defend themselves by whatever means they can. “For how long are we to witness these barbaric act
of killing of our people and now our priests who have sacrificed all not only to the Church but the
society as a whole.

“We are indeed tired of calling the attention of the government on what is incontrovertibly their primary responsibility.

“Unfortunately, even now, many Nigerians, including priests, are still with their abductors.

“We strongly believe that this government is too intelligent not to know what is happening; as such they owe Nigerians an explanation as what is happening and why the Catholic Church and priests have become targets?

“To our fellow Catholics and indeed all Christians, men and women of goodwill, these are indeed perilous times in the history of our dear nation; therefore, we must rise to the occasion and begin to match words with action.

“We must demand accountability from our leaders; they must be seen taking action against this evil murderers, rather than merely sitting at their comfort zones issuing condolence messages.”

While sympathizing with the Bishops, Priests,family and the Laity of Kaduna and Auchi Diocese over the demise of their priests in the hands of bandits, the President of Nigeria Laity admonished Christians remain faithful and committed in God.

“In spite of the evil, let us be assured that our Lord is enthroned on high. He sees all things and he will surely deliver us and our nation from all evil plaguing the nation”, he stated.