The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has lamented over the killing of two Catholic priests: Rev. Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha and 17 parishioners in St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor-Mbalom Parish, Gwer East local government area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Father Moses Iorapuu, the Director of Communications Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in a statement issued Tuesday, said “In their classic style, they burnt down homes, destroyed food items and killed at will. 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 are 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!”
According to a source, the deceased were members of the parish who were in the church to attend the 5:30am Mass and burial ceremony.
He said: “There is usually the daily 5:30 a.m. mass which many parishioners attend, 19 persons including Rev. Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, who were holding the morning Mass were gunned down in cold blood, while many sustained injuries and bullet wounds.”
The services had barely started and worshippers were still coming for the Mass after which a burial ceremony would take place when sounds of rapid gunshots rent the air. “People started scampering and wailing.
“After attacking the church, the invaders descended on the community and razed over 60 houses, farmland, food barns after carting away what the people had in their barns. “As usual, after killing the helpless worshippers and razing the community, the attackers fled from the scene. “As I speak with you, part of the community is on fire and deserted. People are fleeing to neighbouring villages, hoping to find a safe haven for their families.”
The latest attack came barely four days after the murder of 10 persons by herdsmen in neighbouring Guma local government area and the destruction of 300 houses by men suspected to be military personnel in Naka, Gwer West local government area of the state.
