The Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Lagos Archdiocese, has condemned in very strong terms, the recent killing of two priests of the Catholic Church, working at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor-Mbalom Parish, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected herdsmen.
It equally expressed dismay at the unprovoked killing of 17 worshippers at the early morning mass by the suspected herdsmen, describing the killings as one too many and an affront on the Catholic Church.
Members of the Association, while rising from their meeting at the weekend in Lagos, said the incessant killing of innocent Nigerian was a clear indication that the country was drifting towards the part of anarchy and called on the President, Muhammodu Buhari to take decisive and urgent actions to save the country from imminent chaos.
The CAMPAN also threw its weight behind the call by Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), for President Muhammodu Buhari to consider throwing in the towel if he was incapable of stemming the tide of violence currently being unleashed on hapless Nigerians by the suspected herdsmen.
In a press release signed by the President Mr Tony Agbugba and Secretary Lady Barbara Negbejie, the group wondered aloud why the security agencies were yet to make any serious head-way in bringing the culprits to book despite the rapidity of the attacks and their negative consequences on the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians and the Country at large.
“We are angry as well as sad. These killings are unacceptable in a country like ours that prides itself as the giant of Africa. It is the constitutional responsibility of government to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. Any government that fails to do this is giving room for the entrenchment of anarchy. We therefore urge the government to do all that is necessary to ensure they bring the perpetrators to book and put a final halt to the blood-lets,” they said.