Catholic faithful in Anambra protest against killings, kidnapping, others

Seek arrest of killer-herdsmen, Book Haram
No fewer than 80,000 Catholic faithful in Anambra State yesterday protested against what they called dangerous killings, extreme insecurity, kidnappings and others in Nigeria.

The protesters, led by the Chancellor of Awka Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Francis Chidume, condemned “brutal killing of innocent Nigerians and the high level of insecurity in the country.”

They, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, security agencies and the international organisations to halt the continued violence.

The Catholic faithful, who assembled at Ekwueme Square Awka and marched in procession through Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Amaku General Hospital Road to Zik Avenue, before arriving at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Awka, carried placards with different inscriptions, recited the Holy Rosary as they marched and sang praise songs adoring Blessed Virgin Mary for a safer and secured society.

Chidume said: “We are protesting against the brutal killing of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram and terrorist herdsmen. We are gathered to mourn the women, children, babies and men, who had been killed by the terrorists.

“We are particularly worried about how the terrorists target, abduct and kill seminarians and priests.”

The Chancellor, who spoke in company of Rev. Fr. Innocent Nwafor, further said: “We are gathered to let the Federal Government know that we are tired of hearing from them that Boko Haram has been ‘technically defeated’ even when they still attack with impunity.

“The failure to protect innocent people from relentless attacks is evil. The lack of prosecution of terrorists is evil.

“We call on the international community to come to the aid of Nigeria. We must see ourselves as a global family in the world.”

The tears and pains of helpless and persecuted Christians in Nigeria should be given deserved attention.

“As we march, we want all Catholic faithful in Nigeria and all other well-meaning patriotic Nigerians to stand together to fight this terrorism. “We must speak out against government’s insensitivity and poor response. We must work and pray for change to happen in Nigeria.”