Onaiyekan Lead Catholic Members In Abuja To Protest Extra-Judicial Killings Arch Bishop Onaiyekan Demand End To Spate Of Killings In The Country

The Catholic Arch Bishop of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, on Tuesday demanded an end to the spate of extra-judicial killings in the country.

NIGERIA NEWS had earlier reported that Arch Bishop Onaiyekan led Catholic Church members in Abuja on Tuesday, to protest the Federal Government’s poor handling of sustained killings in  Nigeria.

During the match, the protesters carried placards with inscriptions meant to address issues about sustained killings, attacks and destruction of properties in Nigeria.

Onaiyekan while speaking during the match, noted that in 2018, noted that hundreds have been killed in crisis situations such as attacks by suspected herdsmen, clashes involving the herders and farmers as well as armed robbery.

PHOTOS: Catholic Church Members Protest In Abuja Over Killings

NIGERIA NEWS had previously reported that about 19 people including two Catholic priests lost their lives, during an early morning mass at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church, Benue State in March.

Onaiyekan described the death of the priests and the others as a “horrific massacre which will not be forgotten for a long time”. He also called on well-meaning Nigerians to unite in fighting perpetrators of acts of violence. Onaiyekan, however, warned that the killings “must not be politicised”.

“The nation is in a state of emergency. We demand synergy; division, especially on tribal lines will only throw our nation to anarchy,” he said.

He called on the federal government to act decisively to end the spate of killings across the country, and also on the people to be vigilant and be their “brother’s keeper”.

The bishop said if the killings continue, it will come to a time when people will begin to use other means of self-defence. He also warned against reprisals and said the souls of the righteous were in the hands of God.

“This is our hope which is based on our trust in God,” the cardinal said.