Yemisi Izuora
The yet to be identified killer squad in Benue state has introduced a fresh dimension in their gory operations as the Church appear to be their new target.
The killers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen had in the early hours of Tuesday reportedly killed two Catholic Reverend Fathers: Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and nine other parishioners in Mbalom village and St. Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpor-Mbalom.
They were said to have burnt down homes, destroyed food items and killed at will.
The development was made known by Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
Iorapuu, in a terse statement, added: “The police seem to know nothing of the attacks which have been going on in other villages within Benue State since the Anti Open Grazing Law came into effect last year.
Many people are asking why the International community has remained silent over the massacre of Benue citizens?
The answer is simple: It has been the goal of the Jihadists to conquer Benue and Tiv people who resisted their advance into the middle belt and the Eastern part of Nigeria since 1804, the people who rejected Islam and fought for the unification of Nigeria in the civil war of 1967 – 1970.
“The people of Eastern Nigeria therefore have little sympathy for Benue people who fought on the side of Nigeria.
“The Muslim North is enjoying a sweet revenge overshadowed by an insensitive regime.
“There were over 170.000 internally displaced persons before the Naka invasion and surely with the current situation in Mbalom, Benue will be flooded with thousands more.
“What cannot be said at this point is the consequences of the death of Missionaries in the silent killings that have been ignored by the government for over a year.
“The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, which is one of the largest Dioceses in Nigeria, has been active in providing relief materials including education and skills acquisition lessons.
“To go for the Priests means total destruction of everything we stand for and believe in, as a people!”