Muslim Group Condemns Murder Of Two Rev Fathers And Other Worshipers in Benue State

The two reverend fathers killed in the attack

 

The Muslim Rights Concern has condemned the massacre of innocent churchgoers by suspected herdsmen yesterday, including two reverend fathers.

 

Condemning the attack, Professor Lakin Akintola, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC said: “Any act of killing is condemnable. However, all over the country, Nigerians are not respecting the law; Nigerians are at each other’s throats.

“This is because some people are preaching hate. A lot of people preach hate in the mosques and the churches.  Particularly, our Christian brothers have been vehement on preaching hate speech on daily basis. All these noise about Islamisation are causing some of all these problems. We need to stop all these for us to have peace in the country.”

 

Recall that the suspected herdsmen in the early hours of yesterday, stormed St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor-Mbalom Parish, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, killing two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners.

 

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.

 

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 5:30am mass which many parishioners attend. 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, 19 persons, including Reverend Fathers Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, who were holding the morning Mass were gunned down in cold blood, while many sustained injuries, including bullet wounds.

“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.”

 

Reacting through a statement, the Director of Communications Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Father Moses Iorapuu, confirmed the attack.