Catholic Bishops Decry Benue Killings, Call for Urgent Govt Action

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has strongly condemned the recent spate of brutal killings in Benue State, describing them as a grave affront to human dignity and a direct challenge to divine values.

In a strongly worded statement released yesterday, the President of the CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, expressed deep concern over the continued violence, urging both federal and state governments to act swiftly and decisively to end the bloodshed and restore peace.

Archbishop Ugorji lamented the incessant attacks on vulnerable communities, where innocent lives are being lost, homes destroyed, and families thrown into mourning.

“These cold-blooded assaults on defenceless citizens must cease. Such carnage, whether in Benue or anywhere else in Nigeria, is unjustifiable and must never be tolerated,” he declared.

The CBCN emphasized that the protection of human life is the most fundamental responsibility of any government. Archbishop Ugorji warned that no amount of infrastructure development or economic progress can compensate for a government’s failure to guarantee the safety of its people.

“No matter how many roads are built or salaries paid, a government’s legitimacy is fundamentally undermined if it cannot ensure the security of its citizens. The sanctity of human life is supreme and cannot be violated,” he affirmed.

The bishops called for urgent and concrete measures, including the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of the perpetrators of the violence. They urged security agencies to act with both professionalism and compassion in addressing the crisis.

“Each death under these tragic circumstances is not only a personal loss but a national tragedy and a moral scandal against our shared humanity,” Archbishop Ugorji noted.

In addition to the violence in Benue, the CBCN also expressed profound sorrow over the recent floods in Mokwa, Niger State, which led to widespread displacement and significant loss of life.

The bishops acknowledged the initial relief efforts by the government but stressed the urgent need for a more coordinated humanitarian response.

They advocated for long-term rehabilitation initiatives and robust disaster preparedness strategies to reduce the impact of future calamities.

“To the bereaved, the displaced, and the wounded, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and unwavering spiritual support. May the mercy of Christ bring eternal rest to the departed and consolation to those who are suffering,” the bishops said in their message of compassion and solidarity.

Reiterating their call for national accountability and proactive leadership, the CBCN urged authorities at all levels to move beyond empty rhetoric and implement enduring security frameworks.

They also emphasized the importance of strengthening disaster resilience and safeguarding the most vulnerable populations from both human-made and natural threats.