Yemisi Izuora
The Catholic church led by Bishops on Sunday shut down Abuja in protest over unending killings in Nigeria, which is perceived to be targeted at Christians, particularly in northern Nigeria.
The protesters demanded urgent action from the Federal Government to rescue the Christians in captivity, particularly Leah Sharibu, the Chibok schoolgirls and others held by Boko Haram terrorists.
They defied a Sunday afternoon heavy downpour in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory to hold a planned prayer procession.
In large numbers and under police protection, the aggrieved Catholics matched from the National Ecumenical Centre to Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church, Area 3, Garki.
The prayer procession was led by the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Bishop Augustine Akubueze, supported by other Catholic Bishops from across Nigeria, who gathered for the first CBCN conference of the year.
The former Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, joined in the protest.
